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HISTORICAL NOTICES 

OF THE 


NEW NORTH RELIGIOUS SOCIETY 


IN THE 

TOWN OF BOSTON, 

WITH .ANECDOTES 


OF THE 

REVEREND ANDREW AND JOHN ELIOT, 


&c. &c. 


u Sweet remembrance sooths- 

The aching breast.” Akenside. 


BOSTON i 

PRINTED BY PHELPS AND FARNHAM, NO. 5, COURT STREET. 
1822. 







DISTRICT OF MASSACHUSETTS, TO WIT: 

District Clerk's Office. 

Re it remembered, that on the ninth day of April, A. D. 1822, in 
the forty-sixth year of the Independence of the United States of America, 
Ephraim Eliot, of the said District, has deposited in this office the title of a 
book, the right whereof he claims as proprietor in the words following, to wit: 

“ Historical Notices of the New North Religious Society in the Town of 
Boston, with Anecdotes of the Reverend Andrew and John Eliot, &c. &c. 

1 Sweet remembrance sooths — ; - 

The aching breast.’ Akenside 

In conformity to the act of the Congress of the United States, entitled, 
“ An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the copies of maps, 
charts and books, to the authors and proprietors of such copies during the 
times therein mentionedand also to an act entitled, u An act supplemen¬ 
tary to an act, entitled, An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing 
the copies of maps, charts and books, to the authors and proprietors of such 
copies during the times therein mentioned ; and extending the benefits there¬ 
of to the arts of designing, engraving and etching historical and other prints.” 

v JOHN W. DAVIS, 

Clerk of the District of Massachusetts. 



/fto-Ar-. i s' 



ADVERTISEMENT 


The compiler of the annexed Notices is one of three 
male proprietors of the house, in which the New 
North Religious Society now worship, who are lineally 
descended from the first founders of that church.* His 
maternal grandfather, Josiah Langdon, was one of the 
committee which superintended the first building in 1713 
and 1714, and of that which directed the enlargement of 
it in 1730. He w r as also a deacon in the church. His 
father and his brother for seventy years stood in pastoral 
relation to it. From May, 1794, to May, 1817, he was 
himself Treasurer of the society, and has been of the 
Standing Committee for more than twenty-six years. 
From early life it has been his amusement to attend to 
things which took place in days of old. The first re¬ 
searches which he made were relating to this society. 
With them are connected sentiments of veneration to¬ 
wards the memory of his father, and of ardent affection 
towards that of his brother. Associated with these, 
is a fond remembrance of numerous brothers and sisters, 
who merited his affectionate regard, and are now gone 
down to the grave. They, with him, were taught to 
esteem it a privilege to look into the records of this 

* The others are, Mr. Charles Hammatt, descended from Elder Barrett; 
and Mr. Robert Lash, from Elder Baker. 


4 


church. After the decease of his brother, these re¬ 
cords were, of course, removed from the keeping of 
his family, never to be returned. This circumstance, 
though trivial in itself, he confesses was not unattended 
with some tender emotions. The old book had been his 
old acquaintance; and if, as one said, the removal of an 
old post will cause a sense of regret in the minds of 
those who have been long in the habit of looking at it, 
he may not deserve ridicule for indulging them. He had 
made some historical minutes in one of the accompt 
books of the society. These he revised; and having 
been indulged with the records of the church, by the 
present pastor, he has made more particular selections. 
From an old record book of the temporal concerns of 
the society, he has copied much. Some of the trans¬ 
actions relating to the Rev. Mr. Thacher’s installation, 
he gathered from the controversial pamphlets of that 
day : Some particulars have been handed down by tra¬ 
dition in his family: Those of later date are from his 
own knowledge. 

It may seem superfluous to note, that the compiler 
has not accustomed himself to composition. A neces¬ 
sary attention to active business has prevented him 
from indulging a disposition to it; and his habit of 
studying the transactions of the days of former years 
may have given to his style a quaintness not conge¬ 
nial to the present taste. 


HISTORICAL NOTICES, &c. 


The settlement of New England was caused by the determi¬ 
nation of our ancestors to worship God in a manner which 
they conceived to be most acceptable to him. This has been 
often the subject of eulogy. The first permanent estab¬ 
lishment was at Plymouth: But the pilgrims, as they are 
styled, had nothing to do with the colony which sat down in 
Boston. These came from England in the ship Arabella, and 
several other vessels in company with her. After landing at 
Naumkeag, (Salem,) most of them removed to Charlestown, 
and many of them crossed the river to Shawmut, which had 
received the appellation of Trimontane, and soon after was 
named Boston. This was in the year 1630, ten years after 
the settlement of Plymouth. The two colonies were every way 
unconnected, excepting by the ties of friendship, for many 
years. In a short time after possession was taken of Boston, 
a house was erected for the public worship of God. It was of 
wood, with a thatched roof. By tradition we learn, that it 
was situated between Devonshire and Congress Streets, on the 
south side of State Street. 

When the number of inhabitants had increased, so as to ren¬ 
der it inconvenient to assemble in one house, a second was 
built in the year 1650, on that part of the town sometimes de¬ 
nominated the Island of North Boston . By this name was 
known all that part of the peninsula to the northward of the 
canal, which was for many years called the Mill Creek. The 
land here was very low, and being overflowed at high water, 
it then formed a complete island. In process of time, this 
house obtained the name of the Old North Meeting House. 
It stood upon the square, called, to this day, the Old North 
Square. The first house was destroyed by fire in the course 
of a few years; the second building was taken down for fuel, 
by order of the British General Howe, in 1775 or 1776. It 
was a specimen of the original architecture of this country, 
and, from the durability of its materials, might have remained 


6 


many years. The house of the late Rev. Doctor John Lath- 
rop occupies the spot on which it stood. 

In 1669, the church called the Old South was built; 

In 1680, the First Baptist Church; 

In 1689, the First Episcopal Church; 

In 1699, the church in Brattle Street; and in 1710, a so¬ 
ciety of Friends, or Quakers, erected their house of worship in 
the present Congress Street. The original situation of each of 
these is still retained. 

The Baptist congregation was then very small, and the north 
part of the town had become populous ; so that it was impos¬ 
sible for the inhabitants to be accommodated in one house. 
On this account, seventeen substantial mechanics associated in 
the year 1712, for the purpose of establishing another church in 
that part of the town,* which, when formed, they named the New 
North Church. Their first meeting was at the house of 
Matthew Butler, whose descendants have formed a part of the 
society to the present time. In conformity to the custom of 
those days, they petitioned the North Church for permission 
to form themselves into a church fellowship, which was grant¬ 
ed in the month of March of that year. 

The projectors were joined by others, and obtained liber¬ 
ty of the General Court to erect a wooden building, as the law 
of 1711 prohibited the erection of any house of other mate¬ 
rials than brick or stone. They purchased a lot of land of Col. 
Thomas Hutchinson,! at the corner of North and Clark Streets, 
sat up a house of small dimensions, and finished it, as is ob¬ 
served in an ancient manuscript, “ without the assistance of 
the more wealthy part of the community, excepting what they 
derived from their prayers and good wishes.” Even this 
assistance, those who built the new house in 1802 were obliged 
to do without. It was an arduous undertaking, and attended 
with much difficulty; so that, several years afterwards, “ the 
church, taking into consideration the trouble and difficulties 
attendant thereupon, and experienced by our brethren, who 
formed the committee]: that had the immediate care of build¬ 
ing the meeting-house, it was voted, that if by any means this 
house should be demolished, they shall have the privilege, by 
themselves and their heirs, to rebuild the same, with such as 
they shall please to associate with them in the work.” But as 
the gentlemen forgot to establish funds for defraying the ex¬ 
pense thereof, their heirs did not insist upon enjoying this 
privilege, when the house was taken down in 1802. 

Doctor Increase and Doctor Cotton Mather were particu¬ 
larly consulted and advised with, while the matter was in con- 

* See Appendix, Note A. + Note B. X Note C. 


7 


temptation. The latter preached two appropriate sermons to the 
associates, at the house of Matthew Butler; and the Rev. Mr. 
Cheever of Rumney Marsh, (Chelsea,) delivered one; and 
frequent private meetings were held for prayer, &c. 

No reasonable objection could be made to this undertaking, 
but it excited jealousy. The first deacons who were elected 
were Robert Comby, Edward Proctor, and James Clark. 
These gentlemen were not among the associates, but were mem¬ 
bers of the Old North Church. It appears to be a curious 
affair on the part of the new church. Cotton Mather thought 
so at the time; and when application was made to him to pro¬ 
cure their dismission from his church, he positively refused to 
communicate the request. Caleb Lyman, John Barrett and 
Solomon Townsend w r ere then chosen. The last gentleman de¬ 
clined the office, which was not filled until 1717, when John 
Dixwell was elected, who w r as the son of one of the judges 
of King Charles the First. 

When the church was gathered, it was said to be the inten¬ 
tion of the members to invite Mr. John Barnard to the pasto¬ 
ral office. He was a very popular preacher, bold and posi¬ 
tive ; had served as chaplain in the army sent to reduce Port 
Royal, in Nova Scotia, in 1707 ; had travelled in Europe; 
and had formed connections w 7 ith many eminent ministers in 
Great Britain. He was a member of the Old North Church, 
and looked up to Dr. Increase Mather as a parent. Whether 
Dr. Cotton Mather was afraid to have him for so near a 
neighbour, or for some other cause, which is not known, 
through his influence Mr. John Webb was brought forward as 
a competitor, who was then chaplain at Castle William, now 
Fort Independence. 

On the 5th of May, 1714, the house was dedicated. The 
two Mathers officiated in the ceremonies of giving the 
right hand of fellowship to the new church, and the prayers 
usual on such occasions; and Mr. Barnard preached the 
sermon. 

On the 2d of August following, the church came to the 
choice of a pastor. At the first trial, the suffrages were divid¬ 
ed between Mr. Barnard and Mr. Webb; the majority was 
for Mr. Webb. On a second trial, he had a unanimous vote; 
immediately after which the election was communicated to 
the congregation, who were convened in another place , and 
they “ universally,”' as it is expressed in the record, concurred 
in the choice. An invitation was given to him on the 4th, and 
on the 27th of the same month, he, by letter, accepted the 
tall. Mr. Barnard was disappointed; and used, many years 
after, jocosely to observe to Doctor Andrew Eliot, “that 


8 


he had gotten into his shop.” He was afterwards minister of 
the First Church in Marblehead; lived to be eighty-five years 
old, and was a man most eminently useful. 

The ordination of Mr. Webb took place on the 20th of Oc¬ 
tober following. Dr. Increase Mather acted as moderator ; 
Cotton Mather made the first prayer; the pastor elect preach¬ 
ed. The moderator then read the church covenant,* which 
had been signed at a private meeting held at the house of 
Matthew Butler, on the evening of May 5th, after the dedica¬ 
tion of the house. This covenant was now solemnly and pub¬ 
licly consented to by the brethren, with the addition of Mr. 
Webb. The usual question was then put to the church, to 
know if they now confirmed their choice ; and to the pastor 
elect, if he renewed his acceptance ; both which being deter¬ 
mined in the affirmative, the moderator then gave the charge, 
Cotton Mather the right hand of fellowship, and the exercises 
were closed with singing and a blessing. 

It had been previously determined to settle, in principle and 
practice, according to the platform of church discipline agreed 
upon by the Synod of Cambridge, in the year 1648 ; and as 
to the subjects of baptism, concerning which that is silent, it 
was also determined to follow the example of the church from 
which they were derived, viz. the Old North Church, from 
which they had been peaceably and regularly dismissed, and 
which had for many years practiced according to the method 
adopted by the Synod of 1662, in answer to the question han¬ 
dled by it, viz. “ Who are the subjects of baptism?”—It was 
voted, at the same meeting, that the sacrament of the Lord’s 
supper should be administered every four weeks. The first 
administration took place on the 28th of November, 1714. 

In the year 1719, Mr. John Frizell, a merchant in Boston, 
presented a bell t to the society, which was in constant use un¬ 
til the meeting-house was taken down in 1802. It was of small 
size, say between three and four hundred pounds in weight. 
Its tone was unpleasant, which matter is not mended by the 
purchase of a new one. 

There is nothing material upon record relating to the history 
of this church, until the year 1719. On the 13th of May of 
that year, it was voted, “ that when it shall be conceived to be 
for the honour of God, and our own edification, to settle a col¬ 
league with the Rev. Mr. Webb, to assist in the carrying on the 
ministry, the following order shall be observed : 1st. The 
church shall go before and lead in the choice, according to 
the professed principles and practice of the churches in New 
England. 2d. Since the edification of the brethren of the 


* Note D. 


t Note E. 


9 


Congregation is to be considered on such an occasion, we are 
willing that they should join with us in the call of a minister: 
That is to say, after the church have expressed their satis¬ 
faction with any particular person, we are willing that a major 
vote of the church and congregation assembled together , as is 
usual in country towns, shall determine whether the person, 
first chosen as aforesaid by the church, be finally settled in 
the pastoral office oyer us. And we all of us promise to make 
ourselves easy, and sit down contented by such determination; 
and purpose by the grace of God to do so, unless some weighty 
and conscientious reason or reasons oblige us to the contrary: 
But upon this condition, that our brethren of the congregation 
are willing to act upon the same principles, and to submit to 
the same rules.” 

In a short time after, it was thought proper to settle a col¬ 
league with Mr. Webb. The 9th day of September following 
was set apart as a day of prayer; the ministers of the town being 
invited to assist in the exercises of it, in asking a blessing and 
direction upon this weighty affair. It was also thought, by a 
major part of the brethren, “ that considering the unhappy, di¬ 
vided state into which we are falling, and since we have had 
trial of the gifts of several candidates, it will be most for the 
honour of God and our own future comfort, to come to the 
choice as soon as the public and solemn exercises of the day 
shall be ended.” Every one had liberty to bring in a vote for 
any person whom he should conscientiously think to be the 
most suitable person for the office, without any nomination of 
particular candidates. And in order to ascertain who shall be 
comprehended in the privilege of voting as members of the con¬ 
gregation, agreeable to the vote of the 13th of May last, it was 
agreed, “ that all such persons should previously subscribe the 
following words, or others of the same import, viz. 6 We, 
whose names are subscribed, having, for some time past, been 
constant hearers and contributors towards the support of pub¬ 
lic worship with the New North Church in Boston, do accept 
of the kind invitation of the brethren and members of said 
church, according to a vote of said brethren and members, 
passed May 13th, last, wherein they state that they are willing 
that their brethren of the congregation should enjoy the same 
liberty of voting in the next choice which shall be made of a 
pastor, that our brethren in the country towns in this province 
do enjoy upon similar occasions. And we do further hold our¬ 
selves obliged to use our utmost endeavours to sit down satisfi¬ 
ed with the determination which shall be made by a major vote 
of the church and congregation together, in the choice which 
shall be proceeded to 5 and to do our part for the future sup- 
2 


10 


port of the ministry in the said church, so long as God in his 
providence shall continue us members of said congregation.’” 

These conditions were duly communicated to the congrega¬ 
tion. It is probable that many signed them, as there were a 
considerable number of the congregation who assembled to 
vote, as will appear hereafter; but no mention is made of it. 

The 9th day of September was kept as a day of fasting 
and prayer. After the services the votes were taken; but lest 
there should be a breach upon the solemnities of the day, they 
were sealed up and not examined till the next day. On the 
morning of the 10th the church met, the votes were counted, 
and the Rev. Peter Thacher had thirty-four, out of forty-four 
votes, which had been given in. He was immediately invited 
to preach upon the next Lord’s day. 

On the 16th day of the same month the congregation met, by 
desire, in order to express their concurrence (if it might be) 
with the vote of the church. When called upon to bring in 
their votes, a paper was produced, signed by six members of 
the church and thirty-nine of the congregation, in which the 
church was charged with a base design of ensnaring them by 
the vote passed in favour of the congregation ;■ 44 although it 
was done,” say the records, 44 purely with a design to please 
them, if possible.” They refused to leave this 44 memorial of 
their grievances,” as it was called, so that no explicit answer 
could be made to it. The other brethren then brought in their 
votes. They were forty-six in number, and all for Mr. Thacher. 

The 27th of January was then appointed for the installation. 
The Old Church, the Old North, the Old South, the New South* 
the Church in Brattle Street, together with the First Church in 
Salem, the Churches in Cambridge, Dorchester, Rumney Marsh 
and Milton, were ordered to be invited to exercise such acts of 
communion on that day, as the solemnities of it may require. 
When this was passed, Messrs. Alexander Sears, Solomon Towns¬ 
end, James Tilestone and John Waldo, styling themselves aggrie¬ 
ved brethren, handed in a paper, which they said was from the 
ministers of Boston, but which they afterwards confessed was 
only a copy of such parts of it as concerned this church. It 
had no direction , nor was it signed in the hand writing of the min¬ 
isters. They then shewed another paper, which they affirmed 
to be the original , but would not give that in; and the church 
voted that the other should not be read. It was then request¬ 
ed that the original might be delivered into the hands of Mr. 
Webb, until he could take a copy of it. They refused to do it, 
and retired before half of the business of the day was completed. 

Some queries naturally occur here, why the ministers of 
Boston should connect themselves with the aggrieved brethren, 


11 

and through them communicate with the only legal body con¬ 
cerned ? and why they afterwards joined so unanimously in 
desiring that their churches might not be sent for to assist in 
the installation, which they did on the 20th of January, a few 
days before the day appointed for it ? Why was a verbal mes¬ 
sage to that effect preferred to a written communication ? And 
why was the only letter which they condescended to write, 
advising the convention of a council, withheld until the time 
previous to the installation would not admit of it ? No satisfac¬ 
tory answer can now be given : For who could ever trace the 
labyrinth of priestcraft? It was then as perplexing, as it is in 
the present degenerate days. It was on the 15th of this month, 
that this last mentioned letter was handed to the church; five 
da}^s previous to their verbal message. In it “ they desired 
and advised that they would agree with the aggrieved breth¬ 
ren of the church and congregation, to refer our differences to 
the hearing and consideration of a council of churches, to be 
called for the purpose. After consideration, the brethren 
present concluded that, under existing circumstances, the pro¬ 
posal could not be acceded to; because, 1st. Our brethren, 
who conceive themselves aggrieved, had testified no desire of 
calling a council, although there had been the fairest opportu¬ 
nity for it. Therefore the brethren of the church could not see 
light to do it of themselves. 2dly. There would not be time 
for it, before the day would arrive which had been duly ap¬ 
pointed for the installation. 3dly. That we had sent to and 
expected the presence of several churches by their elders and 
messengers on that day; and if those brethren had any thing 
to object against our proceedings, it was conceived that they 
would have given us notice of it in a seasonable, regular and 
brotherly manner, according as the word of God and our own 
constitution require in such cases.” 

At this meeting the Rev. Peter Thacher presented a clear 
discharge from the church in Weymouth, over which he had 
been the pastor, and an honourable testimony, which was re¬ 
ceived; and he was admitted to full communion with this 
church by a unanimous vote of the brethren present. 

The day appointed to finish this business, January 27th, ar¬ 
rived. The church in Milton, under the care of another Rev. 
Peter Thacher, a relation of the candidate, and the church in 
Rumney Marsh, under that of the Rev. Mr. Cheever, were the 
only churches which afforded their presence and assistance 
upon this occasion. The council met at the Rev. Mr. Webb’s 
house, which forms the corner of North Bennet and Salem 
Streets. The aggrieved brethren were assembled at the house 
of Thomas Lee, Esq. which is the house in Bennet Street next 


12 


to the Universal meeting-house, and was to be passed, if the 
council had used the common streets to get to the New North. 
A deputation from the aggrieved brethren* waited upon the 
council, with a remonstrance against their proceeding to busi¬ 
ness, which they wished to prevent peaceably, if they could : 
If that could not be done, they had resolved to prevent the 
council from going to the meeting-house, by force. Several pa¬ 
pers were sent by this committee, containing the grounds of 
their opposition, which they requested might be considered 
with seriousness. But after debate it was resolved, that there 
was nothing offered or objected, which was of sufficient weight 
to prevent their proceeding to business. As going through the 
public streets was likely to produce confusion and uproar, Mr. 
Webb, after notifying the church that the council were ready, 
led them out of a back gate into Love Lane, now Tileston 
Street, and through an alley which opens immediately oppo¬ 
site to the meeting-house, and thus got quiet possession of the 
pulpit. 

The house was nearly filled with a promiscuous multitude, 
among whom were some of the aggrieved brethren. These be¬ 
gan to raise a clamour, and sent for the party at Mr. Lee’s, who, 
in a tumultuous manner, ran to the house, forced their way into 
the galleries, and in a menacing style forbade the proceedings. 
Some among them were very unruly and indecent!—almost be¬ 
yond credibility. Silence was repeatedly ordered without 
effect. The council at length determined to go on in the best 
manner they could. The Rev. Mr. Cheever then put the ques¬ 
tion to such members of the church as were present, who 
were about forty in number, whether they confirmed their call 
of the Rev. Mr. Thacher? which being passed in the affirma¬ 
tive, Mr. Thacher then publicly declared his acceptance of 
the invitation, adding, that he was resolved, by the grace of 
Christ, the great head of the church, to apply himself faithfully 
to the discharge of the pastoral duties to this church. Mr. 
Cheever then proclaimed 44 the Rev. Peter Thacher to be the 
pastor of the New North Church, regularly introduced to the 
charge.” 

The disturbances still continuing, the disaffected party were 
called upon to say what they wished for. One of them an¬ 
swered, 44 that the matters in dispute might be heard and con¬ 
sidered by a council.” The Rev. Mr. Webb and Mr. Thacher, 
with the members of the church, severally assented to the 
proposal. Mr. Thacher of Milton then made a prayer; the 
newly inducted pastor preached a sermon, prayed afterwards, 
and the assembly was dismissed with a blessing. 


* Note F. 


t Note G. 


13 


On the next day Mr. Webb sent severally to each of the 
disaffected brethren of the church, (in number nine or ten) 
to meet at his house, in order to adjust the business of con¬ 
vening a council. Four only appeared, and they refused to 
have any thing to do about it. Probably the plan of forming 
another church began to be contemplated. 

Mr. Thacher thus became the pastor of the church. Being 
of an older standing at college than Mr. Webb, the latter gen¬ 
tleman conceded the right of seniority to him. The society 
suffered a very considerable loss in numbers and in property; 
but it was soon repaired, as Mr. Thacher and Mr. Webb were 
very popular preachers, and greatly beloved. 

This matter has been minutely narrated, as it is one of the 
most singular transactions in the history of the New England 
churches. If contrary to the platform, the ministers ought to 
have met in council with their messengers, and there, in a digni¬ 
fied and solemn manner, borne their testimony against the pro¬ 
ceedings of the church and the conduct of the candidate ; and 
then to have refused to sanction them by assisting in the instal¬ 
lation. But instead of that, we have seen them shrinking from 
what they claim as their sacred duty, and by a verbal message, 
begging not to be sent for; which was complied with, but very 
reluctantly, by the church, as the records testify. And what 
reason was given for their request ? “ Lest it should cause unea¬ 
siness among the brethren of their churches The dishonour 
they were doing to God, and the discredit they were bring¬ 
ing upon religion, were not mentioned, and probably not 
thought of. 

Mr. Thacher was an ordained minister at Weymouth; he 
was beloved by his people and respected elsewhere. What 
methods were taken to dissolve his first connection, is not said. 
He was afflicted with the asthma, which was attributed to the 
local situation of that place. The air of Boston was more con¬ 
genial to his health. His enemies affected to believe that his 
disease was not very alarming, till he was tampered with about 
changing his parish. This is probably incorrect. Although his 
parishioners were dissatisfied, he obtained a regular dismission 
from the church as a member. But his opponents stated that 
his pastoral relation was never dissolved according to the plat¬ 
form. This may have been the case, and would have been a 
good ground to have made a stand upon, instead of taking the 
violent measures which they adopted. 

They also contended, that there was illegality in the choice ; 
or rather his friends were charged with unfair dealing. It 
must be recollected, that the terms on which the congregation 
were permitted to vote upon this occasion were, that after the 


14 


members of the church should have agreed upon a candidate* 
u we are willing that a major vote of the church and congre¬ 
gation, assembled together , shall determine,” Sic. Sic. In the 
former case, when Mr. Webb was chosen, the suffrages of the 
brethren of the church were immediately laid before the mem¬ 
bers of the congregation, who were assembled in another place , 
and they confirmed the choice. There does appear to be 
some Jesuitism here; as it was giving the church a duplicate 
influence. It is probable the truth of the matter was, that the 
friends of Mr. Thacher were certain of a majority of the 
church, but not sure of a majority in the congregation. By 
uniting the two bodies they hoped to prevail. We shall see 
how the matter went on. The votes in the church were thirty- 
four for Mr. Thacher, and ten against him. When the ques¬ 
tion w r as proposed to the convention, there does not appear to 
have been a regular vote ; but when called upon, there was 
produced a protest against the proceedings, signed by forty- 
five persons, viz. six of the church and thirty-nine of the con¬ 
gregation. These probably retired, as the records state, that 
the other brethren brought in their votes, which were forty-six, 
and all for Mr. Thacher. It was said, out of doors, that there 
were only forty-five voters, which made a tye ; and that Mr. 
Webb, who acted as moderator, threw in his vote, which made 
up the forty-six. But the clause in their vote, wherein they 
engage “ that they would sit down contented with the choice 
which should be made, unless some weighty and conscientious 
reasons should oblige them to act contrary now came into ope¬ 
ration, and eased their consciences. 

This is bringing up old matters which have been forgotten. 
It is probable that, amidst the changes of a century, most of the 
present New North Society do not know that there ever was a 
Mr. Webb or a Mr. Thacher in office. But it will serve to 
shew to us the character of those days ; and that the indul¬ 
gence of the vindictive passions among Christians is not of 
modern date ; but that the devil did have some business, even 
among our pious ancestors. 

The aggrieved brethren went off in bad humour;* among 
them, Alexander Sears, Solomon Townsend and Moses Pierce, 
three of the first associates. It is likely that those persons, 
who had been their advisers and supporters, expected they 
would return to the places from which they had before sepa¬ 
rated. If so, they were disappointed. They proceeded to the 
gathering of another church. In the plenitude of zeal, they 
first thought of denominating it the Revenge Church of Christ; 
but they thought better of it, and called it the New Brick 


* Note H. 


is 


Church. However, the first name was retained for many 
years among the common people. Yet their zeal was great in¬ 
deed, and descended to puerility. They placed the figure of a 
cock as a vane upon the steeple, out of derision of Mr. Thacher, 
whose Christian name was Peter. Taking advantage of a 
wind which turned the head of the cock towards the New North 
meeting-house when it was placed upon the spindle; a merry 
fellow straddled over it, and crowed three times to complete 
the ceremony. Their house was situated at a short distance 
Irom the New North. It was a costly house for those days, 
being of brick, and handsomely finished. At this day, after an 
hundred years have elapsed, it remains apparently firm and in 
good order. Dr. Cotton Mather, faithful to them to the end, 
preached the sermon when the house was dedicated. How 
long the prejudices and animosities between the two churches 
continued, is not known. A sermon preached by Mr. Webb 
in the New North meeting-house, on the Sabbath after the 
death of Mr. Waldron, the first minister of the New Brick, 
shews that there existed a personal friendship between them. 
He died in September, 1727. 

It has lately been published to the world, that “ the New 
North people wrote with most moderation, though clearly in the 
wrong; while the advocates of the New Brick, though on the 
right side , lost all command of temper, and wrote with great 
heat and passion.” This is a round assertion, but not correct 
in respect to the wrong and the right. In fact, however right 
they might have began, the whole concern were wrong in the 
end. The New North Church were right in choosing a popular 
man for their minister; they were wrong in persisting in their 
choice when it endangered the existence of the church. The 
dissentients were right in opposing the choice, as they could 
not conscientiously concur in it; they were wrong in indulging 
their passions, and in their violent proceedings to prevent the 
completion of the business by force. Mr. Webb was right in 
giving his sanction to the election of a man as his colleague, 
who was an honour to the profession; he was wrong in en¬ 
deavouring to force him upon one half of his people, who would 
not sit under him as their pastor. Mr. Thacher was right in 
wishing to get a better parish; he was wrong in pushing him¬ 
self into one, where one half of it did not want him. The little 
council were right in convening to assist in the installation; 
they were wrong in proceeding, when they were so small in 
number, and there was so serious an opposition. The minis¬ 
ters of Boston were wrong in desiring they might not be sent 
for. Mr. Webb was right in getting possession of the pulpit, as 
the council had determined to go on with the business; he was 


1(3 


wrong in smuggling the said council into the meeting-honse, by 
running with them through a back alley. He ought to have 
taken the public street, and risqued the consequences. The 
dissentients were wrong in beating their way into the house, 
and making an uproar. Mr. Chcever was wrong in declaring 
Mr. Thacher to have been regularly introduced into the office. 
Such a jumble of right and wrong, it is difficult to match. It 
seems to form a galaxy of blunders. 

Application was made by Alexander Sears, Solomon Towns¬ 
end, John Waldo, James Tilestone, Moses Pierce and Josiah 
Baker, aggrieved brethren, for a dismission from their relation 
to this church, in order to embody themselves into a church, 
according to the rules and orders of the gospel, which was 
granted. 

On the first day of July, 1720, this church agreed to set up 
the office of Ruling Elder , and elected Mr. John Baker, Deacon 
Caleb Lyman, and Deacon John Dixwell into it. The places 
of the two latter gentlemen were filled, on the 9th of Septem¬ 
ber following, by Mr. Joseph Webb and Mr. Joshua Cheever. 
The ruling elders were publicly ordained, April 22, 1721 ; 
the two pastors laying on hands, while a charge was delivered, 
which was succeeded by a prayer. • On the 21st of May fol¬ 
lowing, the deacons were ordained ;* the pastors and ruling 
elders imposing hands. This ceremony was also accompanied 
with a prayer and charge. On the 8th of May, 1722, Mr. 
Samuel Barrett was chosen to the office of a deacon. He was 
ordained with usual ceremonies, March 22d, 1724. 

On the 24th of April, 1725, the society suffered a loss in the 
death of Elder Dixwell. “ He was greatly lamented by all who 
knew his singular worth and abilities.” His place was sup¬ 
plied by Deacon Samuel Barrett, December 8th, following, 
Mr. Ephraim Plunt succeeded him as a deacon, March 8th, 
1726. They were ordained in their respective offices, on the 
18th of August in the same year. 

On the 13th of October, 1730, it was voted, w As this society 
has increased in numbers, so that accommodations cannot be 
afforded to many who desire to become members of it, that 
the meeting-house shall be enlarged, with a new roof over the 
whole, removing the pulpit and body seats; provided it can 
be done by the subscriptions for pews, payment being made in 
advance, of such a part (not less than fifteen pounds, old 
tenor) as a committee, to be appointed for the purpose, may 
deem sufficient; and the remainder, to the acceptance of the 
committee, as the work goes on. And no person shall possess 
his pew until the whole is paid for; that so the church may 

* Note I. 


17 


not be involved in debt by the alteration.”* This was ac* 
cordingly done and paid for as above directed. Before this 
time the pulpit, with the elders’ and deacons’ seats., were situated 
nearly in the centre of the floor; galleries and pews extended 
quite round the house; and the compiler has been informed, 
that it was customary for the preacher to turn to each part of 
the audience in succession, and make his particular addresses. 

Numerous applications are recorded, where other societies 
have sent to this society for advice and assistance, in regard to 
divisions, ordinations and dismissions. A large part of them 
were attended to. Most of them being of the same tenor, it is 
needless to particularize: But one, being singular, shall be 
mentioned. It was from a council, (where or by what authority 
convened, is not noted on the records,) to consider of scanda¬ 
lous divisions, after repeated admonitions, which have existed 
in the First Church in Salem. It was requested that they 
would pass a sentence of non-communion with the said church, 
until a reformation should be seen. Being a matter of conse¬ 
quence, it was considered and debated at several meetings ; 
and at length, on the 28th of February, 1735, it was voted to 
withdraw communion therefrom, until they shall have removed 
the scandalous offence given, in n Christian manner. The of¬ 
fence is not stated on the records ; but this vote had effect until 
October 20, 1745, at which time “the church cheerfully re¬ 
ceived them into charity and communion again, having re¬ 
ceived the satisfaction required.” 

On the 24th of May, 1736, Peleg Wiswall, the worthy and 
faithful master of the North Latin School, was chosen a ruling 
elder to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Elder Bar¬ 
rett. He declined the office, with thanks for this testimony of 
respect. Deacon Joshua Cheever was then elected, and, to¬ 
gether with Josiah Langdon, who succeeded him as deacon, 
was ordained on the 7th of August, 1737. This is the last in¬ 
stance of ordination to the office of elder or deacon in thi$ 
church. 

February 26, 1738, the Rev. Peter Thacher, senior pastor of 
this church, departed this life.t 

It is not known what persons assisted the Rev. Mr. Webb in 
the services of the sanctuary, until May 28, 1739, when Mr. 
Thomas Prentiss and Mr. John Burt were invited on probation, 
three Sabbaths each. On the 9th of July following, it was 
voted to come to the choice of one of them as pastor. “ But 
as the settlement of a minister is an affair wherein the honour 
of God and of our Lord Jesus Christ, and also the salvation of 
precious souls is most nearly concerned, it is the indispensable 

* Note K. t Note L. 

3 


18 


duty of every church to introduce no man into the pastoral 
office, but one who, with other desirable qualifications, is sound 
in the faith of the gospel, and of a good conversation in 
Jesus Christ. It is therefore proposed, that the person, upon 
whom the lot shall fall, be strictly examined concerning his 
Christian principles, both doctrinal and disciplinary. And also 
particularly to inquire into his Christian conversation; and 
that the church do receive satisfaction in regard to the prem¬ 
ises, before they fully confirm the choice.” Thomas Prentiss 
was then elected, having fifty out of seventy votes. The pastor, 
the ruling elders, two deacons and three brethren were ap¬ 
pointed to make the aforesaid examination. Whether the 
principles or practice of the gentleman were suspected, or the 
church members were desirous of evincing their own extraor¬ 
dinary orthodoxy, cannot be ascertained ; but the committee 
were instructed, “ Forasmuch as several important doctrines of 
Christianity are vigorously opposed by Deists, Socinians, 
Arians and Arminians, and the faith of professors is in great 
danger of being perverted ; the committee will particularly de¬ 
mand the most explicit confession of his faith; and invite him 
to preach one half of each Sabbath, until said committee shall 
make a report.” 

The brethren of the congregation, who had been for some 
time constant hearers with this church, and had contributed 
towards the support of the public worship of God, were invited 
to assemble on the 16th day of the month, in order to ex¬ 
press their concurrence with the brethren of the church, if 
they shall think fit so to do, in the election which had been 
made, and as had been done on a former occasion. Ninety- 
three persons met, eighty-five of whom voted to concur. 

At this meeting it was voted to ask the pastors of the Old 
North and New Brick Churches to preach alternately with 
the pastor of this church, upon the Friday evenings previous to 
the administration of the sacrament of the Lord’s supper. 
This invitation was accepted by the pastor of the Old North 
Church, and the practice has been continued until the present 
time. The New Brick Church did not accept it. They after¬ 
wards did establish a similar lecture, without connection with 
any other church. 

After the conclusion of the sacramental lecture on the 10th 
of August, the committee appointed to examine Mr. Prentiss 
reported a confession of his faith, which he had put into their 
hands, which was distinctly read ; and the church voted, unani¬ 
mously, that they were satisfied of his orthodoxy. He was 
desired to give a speedy answer to their invitation. This he 
complied with upon the next Lord’s day. It was in the ne- 


19 

gative !!! He was afterwards one of the ministers in Charles¬ 
town. 

On the 3d day of December following, Mr. Ebenezer Bridge 
and Mr. William Smith were each invited to preach for two 
Sabbaths ; Mr. Daniel Rogers, one of the tutors of Harvard 
College, three Sabbaths after them ; and Mr. Nicholas Gilman 
three Sabbaths after him. When these gentlemen had com¬ 
pleted their several terms, Mr. Bridge officiated for twelve 
Sabbaths; then Mr. Rogers and he supplied the pulpit eight 
Sabbaths more, and then Mr. Rogers three Sabbaths. The 
15th day of this month was appointed for coming to the 
choice of a pastor ; and the brethren of the congregation, under 
similar qualifications as in the last election, were to be indulged 
on the same day, in regard to their concurrence. The vote 
was taken at the appointed time. Mr. Rogers was chosen by a 
considerable majority, and the vote was sanctioned by the 
congregation, who immediately withdrew, and left the church 
to proceed in the business. The ceremony of the examina¬ 
tion, as in regard to Mr. Prentiss, was to be observed, and the 
choice not to be final till the church should be satisfied as to 
his soundness in the faith. The pastor, elders, deacons and 
four brethren were to make the examination, and were to 
inform Mr. Rogers of his election. This gentleman was then 
preaching from place to place as an itinerant, and delayed to 
give an answer. On the 11th of Feb. 1740—1, it was ordered 
that particular notice should be given to him of the uneasiness 
which this delay had excited, and to request a speedy answer. 
To this he replied by a letter, wherein he set forth, “ that he 
did not see that he had a clear call immediately to take upon 
himself the pastoral charge. Therefore, if a positive answer 
was insisted upon, it must be in the negative. But forasmuch 
as there is a very remarkable outpouring of the Holy Spirit 
upon many parts of this land at the present time, especially up¬ 
on young people in this town, and Upon this church particular¬ 
ly ; he is willing, if desired, to assist in the work of the Lord, 
and so to wait for a full discovery of God’s will.” This was 
communicated to the church, who agreed to his proposal. On 
the 22d of July, the committee informed the church that they 
had again conferred with Mr. Rogers relative to the call he had 
so long ago received, but could not obtain a more satisfactory 
answer. The question was then put, whether they were will¬ 
ing that he should continue to preach upon the same terms that 
he has done for some time past, and it passed in the negative. 
He was requested to preach the next Lord’s day, and Messrs. 
Andrew Eliot and Joseph Hillyer on the two which should suc¬ 
ceed. On the 18th of August, Messrs. Eliot and Hillyer were 


20 


invited to preach alternately, until the church should see fit to 
’provide for the further supply of the pulpit. On the 2d of No¬ 
vember Mr. Eliot was desired to preach for eight ensuing 
Sabbaths; and when they had passed, for two more. The 
11 th day of January, 1742, was set apart for the choice of a 
pastor, and the congregation were desired to convene in the af¬ 
ternoon of the same day, to receive information of the result 
of the meeting, and give their concurrence, if so it might be. 
The votes were given on that day, and before they were exam¬ 
ined, the members were requested to express by a hand vote, 
whether they would be contented to sit down under the per¬ 
son, who should have the majority, on whomsoever the lot 
might fall. This was agreed upon with only one dissentient, a 
Mr. Lately Gee, an influential, though blind man, and a zealous 
friend of Mr. Eliot, who had sixty-three out of eighty-two 
votes. A committee, consisting of the pastor and officers of 
the church, with three brethren, were chosen to examine the 
candidate according to the established rule, who were directed 
not to receive an affirmative answer until the brethren should 
be satisfied as to his sentiments and belief. At four o’clock in 
the afternoon, a communication was made by the church of 
their doings, to eighty members of the congregation, who had 
met together, and who confirmed the election ; seventy-two 
votes being given in for Mr. Eliot. A compliment is paid to 
him on the records, by noting, that “ no one present expressed 
any, the feast uneasiness at the transactions of the day.” 

Mr. Eliot sent his confession of faith on the 21st of Februa¬ 
ry, 1742, which was distinctly read to the church after the con¬ 
gregation was dismissed , and was accepted. On the 28th, his 
acceptance of their invitation was announced. He was ordain¬ 
ed on the 14th of April following. The churches who 
assisted in the ceremonies were the Old Church, the Old 
North, the Old South, the Church in Brattle Street, the New- 
Brick and the First Church in Cambridge, of which Mr. Eliot 
was a member, and from which he had been regularly dis¬ 
missed with recommendations. Mr. Eliot preached the ser¬ 
mon, which was printed. 

On the 6th day of December, 1742, Messrs. Samuel Grant 
and John Barrett were chosen deacons; one of them in the 
place of Deacon Josiah Langdon, deceased ; to whom the other 
succeeded, is not known. And in September, 1743, Mr. Wil¬ 
liam Parkman was elected as a ruling elder, but was not or¬ 
dained. He was the last person who filled that office. He 
died in the country, in 1775 or 1776, while Boston was block¬ 
aded, and had arrived to a very old age. 


21 


Before the settlement of Mr. Eliot, church discipline had 
been exercised with a liberal hand. The crying sins were in-’ 
temperance, fornication, (sometimes called scandal,) and con¬ 
tempt of the church, with disturbances in religious assemblies. 
Many members were suspended, and many were restored 
again, upon confession and repentance. In some cases of ob¬ 
duracy and contumacy, excommunication was resorted to. 
After this time , people grew better , or the instances of crimi¬ 
nality were not so regularly recorded as in former days. But 
in June, 1747, a new matter of complaint was brought against 
several brethren and sisters, viz. 1st. That some, absenting 
themselves from our communion, had gone over to the Church 
of England ; others, renouncing their infant baptism, had join¬ 
ed the Baptist Church. Whereupon it w r as voted, “ That this 
church will no longer consider them as members with us ; and 
therefore are freed from the obligations of care and watchful¬ 
ness, under which, hitherto, we have held ourselves towards 
each other.” 

The expenses of supporting the ministers had been defray¬ 
ed by a voluntary contribution made every week. The dea¬ 
cons used to stand in their seats with boxes, while such con¬ 
tributors as sat on the lower floor of the meeting-house left 
their pews, and, in a certain established order, passed by the 
deacons, and threw in their mites. They then marched round 
the house and resumed their seats. Those in the lower galle¬ 
ries came down next and went through the same ceremonies. 
Finally, those in the upper galleries. From long habit, no con¬ 
fusion took place ; but it took up much time; the contributions of¬ 
ten fell short, and frequent calls were made upon the generosity 
of the members of the society, to make up deficiences. It was 
therefore voted, on the 14th of December, 1749, that a com¬ 
mittee should be chosen to assess the pews in a sum sufficient 
to defray all the expenses of the society that could be calcu¬ 
lated ; and that they take into consideration the circumstances 
of the occupants, as well as the situation of the pews. This 
did well enough at the time; but as the occupants changed 
it was necessary to alter the rates, which seldom were satis¬ 
factory, and caused altercation and uneasiness. 

On the 16th of April, 1750, the Rev. Mr. John Webb, senior 
pastor of this church, died. Mr. Eliot preached an appropri¬ 
ate sermon on the next Sabbath, which was printed. He was 
now sole pastor. The church resolved to request him to attend 
to the duties of his office alone, for the present, and no col¬ 
league was ever united with him. His strong habit of body 
and vigorous mind enabled him to go through the whole with- 


22 


out fatigue. His salary was suitably augmented in consequence 
of this additional duty. 

About this time Mr. Nathaniel Holmes presented a large 
and elegant Bible in folio, to the church, and after thanks were 
returned to him for this acceptable gift, it was voted, that the 
pastor be desired to read such portion of the scriptures in fu¬ 
ture, as he may think proper, between the first prayer and the 
singing before the sermon, both in the forenoon and afternoon. 
This practice has been continued. 

Other alterations were now and soon after introduced, some 
of which evinced an increase of liberality in sentiment, highly 
to be commended. For instance, it was agreed, that when it 
shall be permitted by God, that any of our brethren or sisters 
shall fall into scandal , and there has not been a continuance in 
criminality, any person, who may be disposed to make a con¬ 
fession thereof, shall do it after the congregation is dismissed, 
before the brethren of the church, and shall then be restored 
to its charity. It had heretofore been done before the whole 
assembly, the person standing up in full view, all the congre¬ 
gation being seated, while the minister read the confession. 
In the earliest settlement of the country, females were obliged 
also to wear a white sheet over them, while it was reading. 
Also, that two members, who are not in full communion, might 
be admitted into the standing committee for managing the tem- 
poral affairs of the society. Before this the whole committee 
must be church members. This alteration caused much de¬ 
bate, but passed, November 11, 1752. Alexander Sears and 
Jonathan Snelling were the first who were chosen. The first 
gentleman was probably a son of one of the seceders from this 
church, when Mr. Thacher was installed. Mr. Samuel Holland 
was chosen a deacon at this meeting. 

A proposal was made at a meeting on the 14th of April, 
1755, to exchange the New England version of Psalms, which 
had always been used in singing, for one more modern. It 
was opposed at several meetings, and caused much debate be¬ 
fore the church would consent to it. But on the 27th of May, 
it was voted to exchange ; and on counting the votes, there 
were forty-six for Tate and Brady’s version, and eight for that 
of Dr. Watts. Mr. Peleg Wiswall, the pastor, Elder Parkman, 
and Deacons Grant and Barrett were chosen to oversee a new 
edition of those psalms, and to select as many hymns as they 
may think proper, and from such authors as they may ap¬ 
prove, to be added as an appendix. * The pastor was the prin¬ 
cipal agent in this business. The number of these hymns w r as 
seventy-six ; and these, together with additions made by other 
societies, from time to time, have been usually printed with 


23 


that version of the psalms, to this day. It has been said that 
a collection was made and published many years before this. 
It may be so, but the editions probably are out of print. The 
compiler has not been able to obtain a sight of any one. The 
New North collection was chiefly copied from Dr. Watts’s 
works. 

Soon after this, it was voted, that the practice of reading the 
psalm or hymn line by line, at the time of singing, should be 
abolished. This caused great uneasiness, and several meetings 
were held before the motion obtained. It was finally carried, 
fifty-one to twenty-one. Four weeks were allowed for a con¬ 
tinuance of the old practice, before the vote should take effect. 

In August, 1763, a subscription was opened for raising a 
sum of money sufficient to defray the expense of new sashing 
and clapboarding the meeting-house; also to build a tower, 
and raise a steeple upon it. Much generosity was displayed 
upon the occasion; so.that it was not necessary to collect the 
whole of the sum subscribed. Several of the most wealthy 
members of the society, who did not conceive that a sufficient 
sum could be collected for the purpose, had pledged themselves 
to make good the deficiences. As it turned out, they paid 
nothing towards the improvements. This excited a party, 
which subsisted as long as the individuals lived; the spirit of 
which was continued long after the cause of it was forgotten. 

During the time we have gone over, this church had often 
afforded assistance in councils for advice, ordinations, &c. as 
has been observed before. The Rev. Mr. Webb, with Doc¬ 
tors Increase and Cotton Mather, in the year 1718, had per¬ 
formed the principal services, when the Rev. Elisha Callender 
was ordained over the Baptist church in Boston. Fie w^as suc¬ 
ceeded by the Rev. Jeremiah Condy, in 1739. The New 
North Church were not invited to his ordination; but the cere¬ 
monies were performed by Rev. Mr. Gray and Mr. Hooper 
of Boston, Mr. Appleton of Cambridge, all Congregational 
ministers, with Rev. Mr. Callender, Baptist minister in New¬ 
port, who preached the sermon. Mr. Condy resigned his 
office in August, 1764, and in January, 1765, the Rev. Samuel 
Stillman was installed over the same church. The New North, 
with other Congregational churches, were invited to perform 
the duties of installation. Mr. Eliot was desired to give the 
right hand of fellowship. It is understood that Mr. Stillman’s 
predecessors had not been strenuous in requiring re-baptism 
by immersion as an absolute and indispensable qualification 
for a participation of the sacrament of the Lord’s supper. 
Before Mr. Eliot consented to assist in the installation, Mr. 
Stillman gave him satisfaction in regard to this circumstance, 


24 


and he gave him the right hand.* The privilege being re¬ 
fused to some persons of good lives and conversation, Mr. El¬ 
iot called upon Mr. Stillman for explanation, and was inform¬ 
ed, that though perfectly willing himself to their admission, yet 
he was overruled by the members of his church. This must 
be admitted as a fact, as no one could ever impeach his ve¬ 
racity. But Mr. Eliot was not satisfied, and it caused a cool¬ 
ness in their future conduct towards each other. Mr. Stillman 
altered his sentiments afterwards, as we may judge from his 
practice. The concessions which he made previous to his 
installation, did not give satisfaction to his brethren ; and after 
Dr. Manning was settled in Providence, he insisted upon Mr. 
Stillman’s accompanying him to Mr. Eliot’s house, in order to 
examine into the matter. Mr. Eliot refused to answer Dr. 
Manning’s interrogatories, unless some other persons were 
present. The late Rev. Dr. Lathrop, who gave this informa¬ 
tion to the writer, was sent for, and attended. Dr. Manning 
asked, “ Did Mr. Stillman agree to admit persons to his com¬ 
munion, who had not been baptized according to the mode 
practised in the Baptist churches ?” Ans. “ Yes, he did.” 
Mr. Stillman then asked, “Was there not some qualification 
annexed?” “No,Sir,” Mr. Eliot replied, “and if you had not 
given me the most perfect satisfaction, I would have had no¬ 
thing to do with your installation.” Dr. Manning had a num¬ 
ber of interrogatories written, but the examination proceeded 
no farther. Although there had been very little intercourse 
between them, Mr. Stillman visited Mr. Eliot once during his 
last sickness. They held a very social conversation together, 
and took an affectionate leave of each other. Mr. Stillman 
ever after, in public and private discourses, spake of Mr. Eliot 
with great esteem and respect, and was particularly gratified 
in repeating the circumstances of this last interview.! 

An occurrence took place about this time, which it may 
not be improper to mention. A black woman applied to have 
the ordinance of baptism administered to her infant child. The 
slavery of that unfortunate race of men was then common in 
this part of America. Among the abuses to which it gave rise, 
was that of denying to them, in many instances, the privilege of 
contracting their marriages according to the laws of the land. 
The simple assent of the masters and mistresses of slaves was 
all the ceremony deemed necessary for them to become man 
and wife. This was the cause of much irregularity among 
them. In this instance, the master of the black husband would 
consent to no other mode of marrying. The wife had always 
behaved correctly, had made a profession of religion, and been 

* Note M. 


t Note N. 


25 


baptized. The parties had evidence of the consent of their 
masters and mistresses on both sides, that they might contract 
themselves together, and of their subsequent good behaviour. 
Being a new case, it caused some debate, but was finally de¬ 
cided in favour of the baptism of the infant; and at the same 
time it was voted, that hereafter all other black children, being 
under similar circumstances, should be entitled to the same 
privilege. 

It was rarely, if ever, permitted to administer this ordinance 
in private houses, unless in cases where infants were supposed 
to be near unto death. Mr. Jacob Cheever, who had been 
propounded to this church, in order to his making a profession 
of religion previous to receiving the ordinance of baptism, re¬ 
quested the pastor to administer the same to him at his own 
house. He was very sick, and there was not a probability 
that he would ever be able again to attend public worship. The 
pastor, therefore, gave notice to the church, in Sept. 1770, that 
he should comply with the request, if there was no objection 
on their side. There being none brought forward, he proceed¬ 
ed to baptize Mr. Cheever, after having admitted him to cove¬ 
nant relation. But the ruling elder and the deacons were sent 
with Mr. Eliot, to give a sanction to the ceremony. 

It was made known, that brother Thomas Williston was desir¬ 
ous of having J child baptized, which he had adopted. This 
was permitted, under a solemn engagement, that the child 
should be brought up in the Christian faith. 

Another innovation upon ancient customs was made on the 
16th of May, 1773, viz. The candidates for full communion 
had been required to present to the church a relation of the 
time when, and the manner in which they had been wrought 
upon, and the experiences they had had during their religious 
course. This was read before the members of the church , nomi¬ 
nally, but in fact before the whole of the society; as curiosity 
prompted most of the congregation, especially of the softer 
sex, to tarry, in order to hear what they had to say upon the 
matter. It had become a mere form, and was said to prevent 
many from joining the church; so that the pastor, thinking 
there was no direction in the scriptures therefor, recommended 
that it should not be required ; but if it should be the desire of 
any persons to make such relation, the church will attend to 
it. A public profession of Christ, however, was still to be 
made, by assenting to the covenant in use in the church. 

Age and bodily infirmity being plead by Deacon Samuel 
Holland, as reasons for desiring to be relieved from an attend¬ 
ance upon the duties of his office, the request was so far com¬ 
plied with as to relieve him from performing any duty. But 
4 


26 


he was desired still to continue his relation as a deacon, and 
Mr. Gibbins Sharp was elected as an additional deacon. Mr. 
Holland lived more than twenty years after this arrangement, 
and became the oldest man in the town. He was confined to 
his house, nearly the whole time, by bodily indisposition. 

An additional evidence of the increasing liberality of this 
church was also shewn, by the admission of Mrs. Mary 
Symmes to all the privileges of a member, without any formal¬ 
ity. She was a native of London, and brought up in the com¬ 
munion of the Church of England. Having married a Bos¬ 
tonian, she had removed to this town, and was desirous of wor¬ 
shipping with this church, which she did for a number of years. 

The year 1775 forms an epocha in the history of this church, 
as well as in the great scale of the history of this nation. Be¬ 
fore this time, the largest congregation in the town was assem¬ 
bled in the New North meeting-house. The north part of the 
town now became greatly depopulated. The houses were 
principally old wooden buildings, and many of them were de¬ 
molished for fuel during the winter of 1775—6 ; among them 
the venerable Old North meeting-house. Great numbers of 
the inhabitants were permitted to retire into the country ; and 
many of them never returned. A large property was left by 
them to the mercy of the British garrison. Some chose to 
stand by their property, others were not suffered to leave the 
town. Among these was Dr. Eliot. Most of his family were 
sent into the country; and he expected soon to join them. But 
this liberty was refused to him, probably through the influence 
of the selectmen and others in the whig interest, in order 
to keep up the worship of God in the Congregational way. 
Most of the ministers of that persuasion were fortunately ab¬ 
sent, when hostilities commenced; and all communication be¬ 
tween town and country was cut off by the provincial troops, 
after the rout of the British army on the 19th of April. Dr. 
Samuel Mather and Dr. Eliot were the only Congregational 
ministers left in the town, excepting at the southern extremity, 
where Dr. Mather Byles officiated, who, being in the tory in¬ 
terest, was neglected by most of the inhabitants, although he 
performed service for some time in one of the central meeting¬ 
houses. The New North was opened every Lord’s day 
during the blockade, and was decently filled with hearers. A 
small congregation assembled at Dr. Mather’s, and another at 
the Second Baptist meeting-house, then under the care of the 
Rev. Isaac Skilman. Mr. Stillman of the First was absent. 
Doctors Mather and Eliot kept up the Thursday Lecture, while 
it was convenient, but after some time closed it. The Episco¬ 
pal churches were constantly opened, and attended by such of 


27 


the tories and refugees from the country as chose. Many of 
the Episcopalians in Boston were friends to the royal govern¬ 
ment. After the town was evacuated, the ancient establish¬ 
ment of Thursday Lecture was immediately revived. Dr. 
Eliot delivered an appropriate sermon on the occasion, in the 
First Church, at which service General Washington and the 
principal officers of his army gave their attendance. 

Although Dr. Eliot received a decent civility from the gov¬ 
erning party, and Unbounded affectionate regards from the 
whig inhabitants during the blockade, his situation was irk¬ 
some to himself. The distresses of his native town ; the de¬ 
struction of a considerable part of it; absence from his tender 
connections and most intimate friends; disappointed expecta¬ 
tions of joining them in the country, and the constant appre¬ 
hensions of an attack of the town from without, wrought upon 
his mind, and produced an evident alteration in his health and 
in his disposition. He became timid and despondent. Some¬ 
times he would console himself with a hope that the time of his 
confinement was a useful part of his life, as his continuance in 
town afforded comfort and satisfaction to many who were con¬ 
fined with him, and they ever spake of it with great thankful¬ 
ness. A considerable number of them sat under his preach¬ 
ing as long as he lived. 

We return to our notices. In November, 1776, Capt. Samu¬ 
el Barrett and Capt. John Simpkins were chosen deacons. This 
was done at the desire of Messrs. Grant and John Barrett, 
whose age and infirmities rendered them incapable of perform¬ 
ing their duties. They did not resign; so for a time there 
were six deacons in office. 

Dr. Mather Byles having rendered himself unpopular by his 
adherance to British principles, his people would not suffer him 
to preach after their return. The church laboured under great 
difficulties. At length they invited Mr. Ebenezer Wight to take 
the pastoral charge over them. He was at a loss how to act, 
and prudently asked advice of the Association of Ministers; 
and they were as much at a loss to determine what advice to 
give. No desire was expressed by that church to call a coun¬ 
cil, having no specific charges to make against the doctor. 
He had never been dismissed ; therefore there was no vacancy. 
He had not been active in political affairs; and the chief objec¬ 
tion against him seemed to be, that he had indulged himself in a 
natural vein of low wit and ridiculous punning, which destroyed 
their respect. In February, 1778, they determined to proceed 
in their own way, and not to consider Mr. Wight as a colleague 
pastor. They invited the neighbouring churches to assist in 
his ordination. Dr. Eliot, ever circumspect, obtained a vote of 


28 


his church, “ that they would assist, provided a majority of 
the other churches, who were invited, would be willing to do 
so.” This was the case, and the Rev. Mr. Wight was or¬ 
dained accordingly, the doctor and messengers of his church 
being in the council. 

The last public act in which he was engaged was in June 
1778, when Mr. John Clarke was ordained at the First Church 
as colleague with the venerable and learned Dr. Charles 
Chauncy. 

Dr. Eliot died on the 13th day of September following. 
This caused the first complete vacancy in this church since 
it was gathered. 

The doctor’s memory has been held in great veneration. 
An upright, honest man he was. “ The esteem of the wise and 
the good he certainly had.” In principle he was what has been 
styled a moderate Calvinist. The doctrines laid down in the 
“ Assembly’s Shorter Catechism” he held in high estimation. 
These he inculcated zealously upon the youth of his congre¬ 
gation, and upon his children, as long as he lived. That part 
of the clergy, who style themselves the liberal clergy, now take 
pains to disseminate an opinion that he was an Arminian. 
Upon this the writer does not pretend to decide ; but thinks it 
is incorrect, or that the doctor himself did not know it ; or 
peradventure these gentlemen are not competent judges. The 
creed commonly called the Apostles’ he assented to, with the 
exception of that part, which affirms that Christ descended into 
hell. For this he did not think there was scriptural authority. 
This part he taught his children to leave out, when they re¬ 
peated that and the Lord’s prayer to him, after catechising 
them, which was his constant practice every Sabbath evening; 
and he advises, in one of his printed sermons, that it should 
always be left out. About the time of his settlement it was 
supposed by some, that he favoured the doctrine of the New 
Lights. But they would not acknowledge him; and Andrew 
Croswell, then one of their zealous apostles, at a lecture held 
at Charlestown on the evening before his ordination, prayed 
fervently for a church, which was to have an unconverted man 
set over them on the next day. If he was so inclined, he 
fully got over it, and was a warm opposer of Davenport, 
Hobby and other itinerants. He thought Whitefield a good 
man, and attended his preaching* especially on his last visit. 
But he disliked him as being an enthusiast, and was fearful 
that he would do injury, by diverting people from their business 
several times in a day, to attend upon his lectures. He fre¬ 
quently remarked, towards the close of his life, that the zealous 
upholders of these fanatics had turned out vagabonds. 


29 


In the pulpit he was a favourite. His discourses were plain 
and practical, seldom on controversial points. They were deliv¬ 
ered without action, but with a pathos and solemnity that com¬ 
manded attention. He always used notes. His tone of voice 
was bold and positive, as though he would not be contradicted. 
Nor indeed did he bear contradiction tamely but of the pul¬ 
pit. Over an highly irascible temper he had acquired a re¬ 
markable command. When he felt his passions rising, he would 
retire by himself, till he had controlled them. His influence 
over his parishioners was great; so that, although there were a 
number very inimical to him, yet he never was openly op¬ 
posed by them. They, out of derision, used to style him pope. 
Others there were, who disapproved of his prudence in party 
matters, especially in politics. On no account would he intro¬ 
duce them into the pulpit. One of the maxims, which he urged 
upon those of his sons who went into the clerical profession, 
was, u When your parishioners are divided in sentiments, enjoy 
your own opinion and act according to your best judgment; 
but join neither as a partizan.” This circumspection acquired 
for him the name of Andrew Sly . 

As a politician, he was a firm friend to the rights of his 
country, and opposed to the claims and measures of Great 
Britain. So early as the year 1767, in a letter to Dr. Harris, 
a corresponding friend in that country, he thus expressed him¬ 
self : “ If the measures of your government are not changed, 
depend upon it, the colonies will be precipitated into a contest 
for which they are badly prepared, but which will terminate in 
their independence upon the mother country. This event 
must take place, in the course of nature, before a great many 
years are passed.” In a sermon which he preached before 
this date, viz. at the general election of counsellors for the pro¬ 
vince, in the year 1765, his sentiments on government were 
openly displayed. They were looked upon at that time as po¬ 
litical heresy, though now the same ideas are conceived to be 
self-evident propositions- The sermon was reprinted in Lon¬ 
don, and introduced him to the acquaintance of that flaming 
commonwealthsman, Thomas Hollis, Esq. of that city, who 
immediately opened a correspondence with him, which contin¬ 
ued uninterruptedly until the death of the former. Dr. Eliot 
received many benefactions in books, &x. from Mr. Hollis while 
he lived, and was handsomely remembered in his will. 

For a number of years, Dr. Eliot was suspected to be a friend 
to the measures of Great Britain, and called a tory. Lieu¬ 
tenant Governour Hutchinson was his near neighbour, and 
they were in close friendship together. He was fully persuad¬ 
ed of the lieutenant governour’s attachment to the interest of the 


30 


country, of his integrity and of his piety. He had been shewn 
letters addressed by the lieutenant governour to the men in office 
in England, in which he warned them against coercive measures 
against the colonies. When the real correspondence was by 
some private means obtained and published here, Dr. Eliot sup¬ 
posed it to be a forgery; but the letters were avowed by the lieu¬ 
tenant governour. This warped a confidence which had before 
been implicit. In a short time, Hutchinson was appointed to 
the first office in the government of the province. He then re¬ 
moved to the middle of the town, and their future intercourse 
became much circumscribed. The impression of toryism 
soon wore off. 

Mr. Eliot was always a zealous opposer of African slavery. 
Many people in Boston had slaves for their family servants. 
Soon after his marriage, a sum of money was subscribed by 
his friends, sufficient to buy a black boy for him ; but he de¬ 
clined the present, unless he might be permitted to put him as 
an apprentice to some business, when he should be of a suitable 
age; and at the termination of his apprenticeship, that he 
should be a free man. These conditions not suiting the gentle¬ 
men, the matter was dropt. He did not live to witness the 
abolition of slavery in this commonwealth. 

To Harvard College he was devoted ; was a member of the 
corporation from the year 1765, and spent much time in at¬ 
tending to its interest. After the death of President Holyoke, 
he was urged to take his place. The attachment he bore to 
his people caused him to decline an election. After the resig¬ 
nation of President Locke, who succeeded Holyoke, he was ac¬ 
tually chosen into the office, contrary to his earnest request. 
For the same reasons he refused it. During the presidency of 
Dr. Samuel Langdon, he was director general. 

As a friend and companion Dr. Eliot was sought after. Al¬ 
though his avocations were many, he husbanded his time in 
such a manner, as allowed him opportunity to visit among his 
parishioners more than any other minister in the town. He 
had also a very extensive acquaintance out of his parish, was in¬ 
troduced into the polite circles, and to most of the strangers of 
distinction, whom business or curiosity led to visit Boston— 
always cheerful and entertaining in conversation, abounding 
in interesting anecdotes, yet never descending to levity. In 
his last years, his most intimate friends were among the younger 
part of society. He was a fine classical scholar, and his ac¬ 
quaintance with most subjects of literature made him welcome 
among the learned. 

In the early and middle part of Dr. Eliot’s life, he entered 
with spirit into the plans adopted for christianizing the Indians 


31 


of our country. He was a member of the society established 
in London for that purpose, and one of the first commissioners 
nominated by a similar society in Scotland. He was also ac¬ 
tive in procuring subscriptions for such a society in Boston; 
the bill for the establishment of which, after having passed the 
two houses of the Legislature, was negatived by Gov. Bernard. 
So great was his enthusiasm in this business, at one time, that 
he would have permitted his third son, then a lad, to have gone 
into the Indian territory to acquire the language, preparatory 
to becoming a missionary; but was persuaded to give it up. 
His correspondence with the missionaries was very extensive, 
and his attention to their interest unremitted. Yet, in the letter 
above quoted to Dr. Harris, he says, u I have spent a great 
deal of time, and been witness to the expenditure of vast sums 
of money for this purpose, and have at last the mortification of 
seeing that it has been to no advantage; no sort of good has 
been derived from it.” Thus future writers will probably 
have to complain in regard to the exertions which are now 
making to spread the gospel in foreign parts, among pagans 
and Mahometans. 

Although Dr. Eliot was one of the zealous opponents to the 
establishment of Episcopacy by law in this country, and to the in¬ 
troduction of bishops under the Church of England ; yet, when 
the British troops, and such of the inhabitants as were attached 
to the royal government, were preparing to leave the town, be¬ 
ing informed that Mr. Samuel Parker, (afterwards Bishop Par¬ 
ker,) who was assistant to the rector of Trinity Church, was 
making ready to go with them; he called upon him while he 
was packing up his library, and, with true Christian candour, 
represented to him the destitute situation in which the Episco¬ 
palians would be left, who should remain in this country, as 
all their ministers were about leaving Boston ;—that although 
it might be prudent for the elder gentlemen to go, who had 
shewn their opposition to the sentiments of the people, that he 
was a young man, who had done nothing to render himself ob¬ 
noxious, and would be perfectly safe;—that it was a duty 
which he owed to that part of the community, to stand by 
them ;—and finally prevailed upon him to tarry; a circumstance 
which that highly respectable divine always acknowledged 
with gratitude, and made a particular mention of, in a funeral 
sermon which he preached at Trinity Church, upon the Sab¬ 
bath after the doctor’s decease. A part of this sermon was 
published in the newspapers of the day. 

Many of the society turned their eyes towards Dr. Eliot’s 
fourth son, Mr. John Eliot, as the successor of his father. A 
number of those who were inimical to the doctor were then in 


32 


office in the society. They openly opposed him. From the nu¬ 
merous funeral sermons preached upon that event, they selected 
one which was delivered by the Rev.Peter Thacher of Malden on 
the day of the doctor’s decease, and printed it. As if they had 
determined to visit the iniquity of the father upon the children, 
not one of them was presented with a copy of it, and the only 
one at that time in the family was given to the widow by Capt. 
John Simpkins, one of the deacons. The society had been at 
considerable expense in putting the female part of the doctor’s 
large family, and the youngest son, Avho was a lad, into very 
handsome mourning. But this was done by a vote of the so¬ 
ciety at large, who were always devoted to the family. They 
also continued his salary to the widow (deducting the expense 
of supplying the pulpit) for a considerable time. The opposers 
of Mr. John Eliot affected to look towards Mr. Thacher as their 
future minister. He was a very popular man, a warm friend to 
Mr. John Eliot, and if any overtures were privately made to 
him, they were not acceded to. The pulpit was supplied by 
various candidates till the 13th of May, 1779. It was then 
voted that Messrs. John Eliot, William Greenough, Jonathan 
Allen and John Prince should each be heard a certain number 
of Sabbaths on probation. The last gentleman declined the 
invitation ; the others officiated. On the 22d of August it was 
determined to come to the choice of a pastor on the next day ; 
and they requested such members of other churches as were 
constantly in the habit of attending communion with them, to 
join in the election. They met accordingly, and Mr. Eliot had 
thirty-one out of forty-four votes. The congregation met on the 
29th, and concurred in the choice, Mr. Eliot having eighty-four 
out of eighty-nine votes. At this time no other qualification was 
required of the members of the congregation, than being of lawful 
age and constant attendants on public worship with this church. 
Mr. Eliot presented a dismission and recommendation from the 
church in Dedham, and was admitted a member of the New 
North; also a confession of his faith, which was accepted. 

It was by the persuasion of his friends, and with the advice 
of many ministers in and out of the town, that Mr. Eliot was 
induced to accept the call; but it was with great reluctance. He 
could have been settled more to his own mind. He was aware 
of the invidious reflections to which he would be subject in 
settling with a society in which he had been brought up, and as 
successor to a man of his father’s established reputation. In 
fact his engaging in the clerical profession was always in oppo¬ 
sition to his own wishes. He had seen how very precarious is a 
dependence upon the affections and regards of a people towards 
their minister. Of this he had some experience himself after- 


33 


wards. His mild and conciliating disposition reconciled those 
of his opponents who remained in the society; only four or five 
ol whom broke off’ from it. He gave his answer on the 10th of 
October, and was ordained on the 3d of November. The Rev. 
Andrew Eliot of Fairfield, in Connecticut, his eldest brother, 
preached the sermon ; the other exercises were performed by 
Messrs. Haven of Dedham, who made the first prayer; Dr. 
Cooper of Boston, (who was moderator of the council) gave 
the charge; Simeon Howard of Boston gave the right hand of 
fellowship, and Ebenezer Thayer of Hampton concluded with 
prayer. The churches of those gentlemen, the First Church, 
Dr. Mather’s, the church in Hollis Street, the New Brick, the 
Old and New South, the church in Dover, under the care of 
Rev. Jeremy Belknap, and the church in Malden, under Rev. 
Peter Thacher, formed the council. 

It may not be an unpleasing digression to note the salaries of 
the several ministers, as established at different times in this 
society. As they always had a sufficient sum allowed to sup¬ 
port them handsomely, it will serve as a clew to trace the de¬ 
preciation of money for more than a century past. The sala¬ 
ry voted to Mr. Webb, at his settlement, was one hundred and. 
four pounds, and wood for his study. This was about twelve 
years after the first emission of paper bills of credit, called af¬ 
terwards old tenor . Mr. Webb had in addition to it twenty-five 
pounds to pay for an assistant. The depreciation it had suf¬ 
fered at the time, taking silver money as the standard, cannot 
now be ascertained; but taking this first sum for a standard, 
we shall see its decline hereafter. Mr. Thacher’s first salary 
is not set down in the records. In 1728 a grant was made to 
each of the pastors, of twenty-five pounds, in addition to their 
salaries. In February, 1730—31, and in February, 1731—32, 
there was a contribution made in order to give the ministers a 
more comfortable support. The amount of either is not 
known. Afterwards, the sum of five pounds per week, equal 
to two hundred and sixty pounds per annum, was voted to each 
of them. In 1737, it was augmented to six pounds and ten 
shillings, or three hundred and thirty-eight pounds a year; in 
1738, to seven pounds and ten shillings, viz. three hundred and 
ninety pounds a year. This sum was continued to Mr. Thach¬ 
er’s widow, after his death, till all the Boston ministers had 
preached. 

When Mr. Andrew Eliot was settled, in 1742, his salary was 
fixed at fifty pounds sterling per annum, say two hundred and 
twenty-two dollars tio in silver. The dollar being then 
reckoned at forty-five shillings, old tenor, it was equal to five 
hundred pounds, old tenor, per annum. In 1747, the salary 
5 


34 


was raised to forty shillings sterling per week, equal to four 
hundred and sixty-two dollars T Vo per annum; the value of 
a dollar being then at the same rate. There is no account of 
the time when, or in what proportion the salary was afterwards 
raised. For some years before his death, it was nearly six hun¬ 
dred and thirty-six dollars. Old tenor bills had then stopped; 
but the dollar, as money of accompt, had not altered numerical¬ 
ly. Fire wood was always found, in addition to the several min¬ 
isters’ salaries, and to Mr. John Eliot’s was to be added the rent 
of a house after he should be married. His salary was to be the 
same as was given to his father in his latter days. The money 
then in circulation was the old continental bills, for which there 
was no time of redemption stipulated, and no resources to be 
applied for that purpose. It was therefore in a state of con¬ 
stant depreciation. To guard against his suffering from that 
circumstance, Mr. Eliot’s salary was to be adjusted according 
to the quantity of wheat reckoned, at five shillings the bushel. 
Had he insisted upon a literal adherence to this rule, his income, 
during a great part of his life, would have been very large. He 
was urged to do so by some brethren of the cloth. This he 
declined, under a consideration that it had been complied with 
according to its meaning; which was, that he should not suffer 
by being obliged to take a depreciated currency. The society 
never required to be prompted to raise his stipend. They 
always took into consideration the increasing price of the ne¬ 
cessaries of life, and either by raising his salary, or special 
grants, from one hundred and fifty to two hundred dollars, al¬ 
ways afforded to him a comfortable support. Proposals for 
these were always made unknown to him, and there was never 
a dissenting voice to their adoption. While the new meeting¬ 
house was building, these grants were suspended ; but after his 
decease, the sum of five hundred dollars was given to his widow 
to make up for them. In the year 1794, his salary was raised 
to fifteen dollars per week, equal to seven hundred and eighty 
dollars annually. After the new meeting-house was completed, 
there was a further augmentation of five dollars per week, 
which made his salary equal to one thousand and forty dol¬ 
lars a year, at which -it continued as long as he lived. 

All the pecuniary concerns of the society had been under 
the controul of the standing committee, who left them to the 
oldest of the deacons as treasurer. No statement of them 
had been laid before the society. The cash received had been 
disbursed as the committee directed, or as the treasurer thought 
best. In the year 1776, when the society became organized 
anew, after the departure of the British garrison and their ad¬ 
herents ; the deacon, who had for many years been in the 


35 


office of treasurer, was about resigning it. A committee, 
consisting of Ezekiel Goldthwait., John Langdon, John Ron- 
chon Sigourney, Benjamin Burt and Harbottle Dorr, was 
appointed to examine the books, and make a report of the 
situation of the society. They attended to the business and 
made a return, “ That they had gone back tb the year 1755 ;— 
that although some pages had been cast up, and vouched as 
correct by a committee, yet there had been no settlement;— 
that large sums were due from the proprietors of pews, for 
taxes and assessments, and also a very considerable sum from 
the subscribers towards building the tower and steeple; all 
which ought to have been collected, and probably might have 
been at the time, but which would now be entirely lost from 
negligence ;—that according to the accompts exhibited, there 
was a balance unaccompted for, of seventeen pounds, fifteen 
shillings and six pence, to credit of the society, and that the 
standing committee may possibly know how it has been dis¬ 
posed of.” This was a curious way of easing oft' the trea¬ 
surer, who vowed he had none of their money. But 
what w r as more curious still, immediately after accepting the 
report, it was voted, “that the thanks of the society be given 
to the good deacon for his long and faithful services as treasu¬ 
rer.” Annual committees have been since chosen, who examine 
the accompts and their vouchers; in consequence of which, 
they are kept with correctness and care. Mr. Moses Grant, 
afterwards deacon of the church in Brattle Street, was then 
chosen treasurer, and held .the office several years. Deacon 
Simpkins held the office also for a number of years more. 
Deacon Joseph Kettell did the duty one year; Benjamin 
Hammatt three years; and Ephraim Eliot twenty-three years, 
viz. from May, 1794, to May, 1817. The two latter never were 
deacons . The treasurers until this last date had no allowance 
whatever for their services. 

In the fall of the year 1798, Deacon Samuel Barrett died. 
From the first organization of this church, there had been 
either a deacon or elder of the name of Barrett, and all of 
one family, in office until this time. 

It has been noted, that the version of Tate and Brady’s 
Psalms was substituted in lieu of the New England Psalms, 
in 1755. They continued in use until about this time. One 
singing company were desirous of adopting the version of 
Dr. Watts. This desire was not attended to, and the company 
soon dispersed. Great difficulties had been caused from the 
instability of those who conducted the musical part of worship, 
and much money had been expended, to little good purpose, 
in order to keep it up. Soon after the last mentioned company 


36 


was broken up, another was brought forward at a very great 
expense. They also wished to have Dr. Watts’s Psalms in¬ 
troduced. They made no great difficulty about it; but taking 
advantage of the absence of the pastor, the psalm books were 
taken from the pulpit, and Watts’s put in their place. The 
singers’ seats were also supplied with the same. The persons 
who managed this, kept their secret, and have never been 
known to the writer. To the great surprise of the congrega¬ 
tion, psalms were put out and sung, in which they could not 
join. Much contention was likely to ensue, and the singing 
company were determined to quit the seats .if not indulged 
with their favourite author. The treasurer of the society was 
attached to Tate and Brady’s version, but being in a situation 
of knowing the minds of many of its members, and fearing the 
consequences of altercation, determined to give up his own 
opinion; and, without consulting with any one, he, on the next 
Lord’s day, requested the pastor to desire the members to stop 
after the services of the day were over, when a meeting being 
organized, he made a motion to change the versions, and the 
society, being taken by surprise, after some little debate, 
agreed to do it, with only one dissenting voice. Many of the 
society were dissatisfied; among them the pastor of the 
church, who, at his own request, was not particularly consulted. 
Thus one irregularity was made use of to sanction another; 
and the only apology that can be made for it is, that it pre¬ 
served peace, by the dissentients’ silent acquiescence in it. 
Since the meeting-house has been rebuilt, this part of worship 
has been more regular. A company was formed, and still con¬ 
tinues, who are under the controul of a committee of thirteen 
members of the society, called the superintendants of the 
singers. The company are allowed great latitude; choose 
semi-annually a president, vice-president and librarian, who, 
with five other members, constitute its government; and these 
regulate their immediate concerns. As it becomes necessary, 
a master of music is employed to teach and bring forward 
recruits from the younger part of the society. 

A very important matter comes now to our hand. The 
meeting-house had become old, was in decay, and unfashiona¬ 
ble. The enlargement in 1730, however it may have added to 
the accommodation of the hearers, made no addition to its 
beauty. To repair it would have cost a large sum of money; 
and many of the attendants on public worship did not own 
their pews, but only paid the taxes on them, and could not 
be compelled to pay any part of the expense; so that it 
would fall very heavy on the proprietors. In this dilemma, 
Mr. Elisha Sigourney, a son and member of the society, con- 


37 


ceivcd the bold idea to rase the building to the ground, and 
build a handsome one of brick on the spot. The plan ap¬ 
peared impracticable to most people who were consulted; 
but by his individual perseverance, it was afterwards accom¬ 
plished. It was first proposed at the annual meeting in May, 
1801. Some desultory conversation took place, and the 
standing committee was directed to consider of the subject, 
obtain plans, make the proper estimates, and present then) 
at the next annual meeting. In May, 1802, a partial report 
was made, and advice given that a select committee should be 
chosen to confer with each proprietor separately. Messrs. 
Elisha Sigourney, Thomas Page and John Wells were 
chosen for that purpose. They attended to the business. 
All the proprietors but five agreed to give the pews they own¬ 
ed in the present house; most of them subscribed for pews in 
that which should be erected, and advanced more or less 
money, while the work was going on, in order to purchase ma¬ 
terials, &x. for it. A respectable committee was chosen to ask 
the assistance of gentlemen whose estates were in the neighbour¬ 
hood. The removal of so large a wooden house warranted an 
expectation that something handsome might be obtained, con¬ 
sidering that, if it should take fire, great danger would arise of 
a desolation of that part of the town, and that there had been 
many attempts to set fire to that and other parts but a short 
time before. A small sum was subscribed, but it was short of 
four hundred dollars.* Taking down and rebuilding a meet¬ 
ing-house was then a very uncommon thing. The society 
hesitated from a fear that they should not be able to complete 
the work. As more than seven thousand dollars had been ob¬ 
tained to demolish a large wooden theatre near the common, 
on the plea of the danger the town, if it should take fire, 
and from gentlemen in various parts of the town; it was 
suggested that help might be afforded by enlarging the sphere 
of solicitation. The committee were instructed to make trial 
if any help could be obtained in that way. They called 
upon two or three gentlemen, but met with such haughty be¬ 
haviour and insulting language, as discouraged them. The 
different companies concerned in insurance against fire were 
called upon, but not a cent was procured. Thus left to their 
own exertions, and having eighty pews subscribed for, in the 
month of June, 1802, it was “ resolved, unanimously, that Elisha 
Sigourney, William McKean, John Cogswell, Thomas Page 
and Benjamin Barnes be a committee to take down the New- 
North meeting-house, dispose of it in whole or in part, as they 
may judge will be most for the interest of the society, procure 

* Note O. 


38 


materials and erect another building according to law, and 
agreeable to a draft purchased of Charles Bulfinch, Esq. 
and to assess the same on the subscribers.” The pastor 
'was informed that the demolition of the house would com¬ 
mence on the 2d of August, and he was requested to preach 
an appropriate sermon upon the Sabbath preceding. He did 
so to great acceptance. In less than a month the ground was 
cleared. Messrs. Thomas Christie, Roland Christie and David 
Shute took down the house, and were compensated by having 
all the wood work of it. 

A committee of the New Brick church, now united with 
the Old North, waited upon Rev. Mr. Eliot a few' days before 
the 2d of August, and made an offer of the best accommo¬ 
dations that could be made in their house of worship, during 
the time the building should be going on. The invitation 
being communicated to the society, it was accepted, and a 
committee to join in making arrangements was chosen. The 
females of both societies were to occupy the lower floor; the 
lower galleries were appropriated for the men; the youth and 
boys were to sit in the upper gallery. The connection was ap¬ 
proved of by the generality of those who were to be favoured ; 
but some few, descendants of the friends of Mr. Thacher, 
had imbibed such prejudices against the New Brick society, 
that they would not worship with them. Deacon Gibbins 
Sharp begged that the temporary union might not take 
place; he was a witness of the fracas at the installation of 
that gentleman ; he was always far from the opinion that the 
New North church was clearly in the wrong. He was pre¬ 
vailed upon to wave his prejudices, and regularly attended at 
the New Brick. 

This gentleman related an uncommon circumstance to the 
writer a short time before the house was demolished, viz. 
“ That he had attended worship at the New North meeting¬ 
house, from the year 1719, without the interruption of a single 
day or half day, excepting during part of the time when the 
British troops were possessed of Boston in 1775—6, (he then 
resided at Salem,) and the afternoon of the day that Dr. 
Andrew Eliot was taken sick, when the house was not open ; 
a term of more than eighty years. But we should avoid boast¬ 
ing. Within a fortnight after telling this, the old gentleman 
sprained his ancle, and was obliged to stay at home two 
Sabbaths in succession.” 

The two societies convened together on the second Sab¬ 
bath in August. The inconveniences which were foreseen must 
be experienced by the obliging society, were in general 
borne with apparent good will. The ministers officiated 


39 


alternately, and were very happy in the connection. When 
the new meeting-house was finished, they each took an af¬ 
fectionate leave of the other’s society, in the sermons that 
were preached on the last Sabbath of their union. 

The corner stone of the present New North meeting-house 
was laid on the 23d of September, 1802, over a silver plate 
on which were inscribed several of the principal events relat¬ 
ing to the building;* a part only of the cellar being then dug. 
It was finished and stoned during the autumn. In the ensuing 
winter, materials were collected, and in the spring the work was 
resumed. Mr. Cogswell left the building committee in May f 
1803. The society are under great obligations to the other 
gentlemen, who gave every attention to the business. Mr. 
Sigourney, being more at leisure than the others, was on the 
spot almost the whole time. They have had the satisfaction 
of seeing a large and handsome edifice erected, and the so¬ 
ciety become, in consequence thereof, far more flourishing than 
it had been for some years before; and also of witnessing 
that other societies, following the example of this, have great¬ 
ly ornamented the town, by erecting a number of elegant 
churches in lieu of their old and decayed edifices. As the 
town has increased in the number of inhabitants, many new 
churches have been gathered, and added still more to the 
good aspect of it, by an increase of public buildings con¬ 
structed in a handsome style. 

At a meeting in the spring of 1803, the deacons were cho¬ 
sen a committee to apply to the Legislature of the common¬ 
wealth, for a special act of incorporation, which was granted. 
By this act, they, with such persons as are or may become 
engaged in building the house of worship now erecting, are 
made a body politic under the style of the “ New North Re¬ 
ligious Society in the Town of Boston and, together with the 
common powers of such corporations, it is provided, that they 
shall have power to choose their ministers, contract with them 
for their salaries, &c.; and in particular, it is enacted, that no 
person shall be allowed to vote in any case, merely from the 
circumstance of attending worship with the society, hiring a 
pew, or paying towards the expenses thereof. So that all 
difficulties arising from the members of the church voting 
separately from the congregation, and the qualifications of the 
latter are hereby obviated; and every proprietor of the house, 
whether male or female, is secured in the right of choos¬ 
ing a minister, &c. 

The time spent in rebuilding was extended much more than 
was wished for or expected. Many private houses were 
* Note P. 


40 


building, which rendered it difficult to obtain proper materials 
and workmen; and it was not finished until April, 1804; on 
the 30th of which month, the pews were put up for sale at 
auction. They had all been appraised, and the amount of 
tax upon each assessed. The right of choice was bidden 
for, and produced more than three thousand dollars, which, 
with the appraised value of those sold, was nearly enough to 
meet the whole expense incurred, viz. twenty-seven thousand, 
two hundred and eighty-eight dollars and T Vo« The balance 
was soon made up by the sale of other pews, which were 
left on hand after the first sales. 

The roof of the house has been found to have too small a 
pitch, and was soon so leaky that it was thought proper to 
take off the slates and shingle the whole, laying the same 
slates again. After a few years, this was not found suffi¬ 
cient, the slates being small and of a bad quality. They 
were taken off, and a covering of best Welsh slates laid on, 
which has remedied the evil. 

On the 2d day of May, 1804, the dedication was made, 
wanting but three days of ninety years from that of the first 
house. The Rev. Dr. Lathrop made the prayer, and the pas¬ 
tor of the church preached the sermon, w r hich was printed. 
The company of singers having dispersed, the musical part of 
worship was performed by the Franklin Society, belonging to 
the church in Hollis Street, who were invited for the occasion 
by the standing committee. They were decently entertained 
at the house of Redford Webster, Esq.; the gentlemen of 
the clergy, and others, at that of Dr. Eliot. 

In June, 1805, a subscription was made to purchase a bell, 
which, when in the cupola ready for use, cost more than eight 
hundred dollars. It was from the furnace of Paul Revere and 
Son, and weighs upwards of thirteen hundred pounds. 

The records of the society contain nothing worthy of notice 
after this time, excepting that Mr. John Wells was chosen 
deacon, in order to take the active duty of that office from 
Deacon Joseph Kettell, whose infirm state of health render¬ 
ed him incapable of performing it. 

On Lord’s day the 14th of February, 1813, the Rev. John 
Eliot departed this life, after three days suffering from an 
organic disease of the heart, which had been threatening him 
for several years. Information was sent to the meeting-house, 
where Rev. Mr. Lowell “was preaching. Before he adminis¬ 
tered the sacrament, he made an impressive address to the 
church. 

The funeral was upon Thursday following, attended by his 
own society ; the members of such societies, both literary and 


41 


charitable, as he belonged to; the governour, lieutenant gbver- 
nour, council and senate; the whole government of Harvard 
University, and a large concourse of the inhabitants of the town* 
By his particular request, his remains were not carried into the 
church, and no sermon preached before his interment. Rev. 
Mr. Channing prayed with his church and congregation in the 
meeting-house, and Rev. Dr. Lathrop with the family and 
friends at his dwelling house. The several societies assembled 
in the Universal meeting-house by particular approbation of 
the members of that church^ The expenses of the funeral 
and mourning dress of the female part of the doctor’s family 
were borne by the society. 

Rev. Dr. Lathrop preached a discourse at the New North 
meeting-house on the following Sabbath, which was printed; 
and the other pall holders* preached in their several turns. 
Dr. Freeman’s Character of Dr. Eliot was also published by 
a private gentleman. Memoirs of him, written by Rev. Jo¬ 
seph McKean, were inserted in the first volume of the se¬ 
cond series of the Collections of the Historical Society. 

The ministry of the two Doctors Eliot comprized a term 
of seventy years. During the whole of this time, no root 
of bitterness sprang up, ho discord prevailed. The affairs of 
the society went on like those of a well regulated family. 
The pastors were happy in the affections of their people ; 
and the people were contented under their ministration. 
During the life of Dr. Andrew Eliot, very little alteration 
took place; sons succeeded to fathers. It was different dur¬ 
ing the life of Dr. John Eliot. When Rev. Mr. Gair was 
installed over the Second Baptist church, which, until that 
time, had been a very small assembly, a sudden blaze was 
enkindled by him and Mr. Stillman, which seemed to en¬ 
lighten great numbers of people, especially young girls and 
lads, many of whom left the New North. In 1785 the 
Universal church was gathered under the famous John Mur¬ 
ray;—and the Methodists opened their first chapel, where 
their doctrines were preached with zeal and enthusiasm. 
These all had their places of worship in a close neighbour¬ 
hood with the New North, and drew off* numbers from it, 
principally from the galleries, which have never been so well 
filled since. When the Rev. Peter Thacher was removed 
from Malden to Brattle Street church, in Boston, some of 
the very friends who had been most influential in persuad¬ 
ing Mr. Eliot to take the place of his father, quitted his 
preaching and joined that society. “ This was the most un- 
* Note Q. 


6 


42 


kind stroke of all,” and he felt it as long as he lived. How^ 
ever, the seals were soon filled again, and" it continued a 
very large congregation until his death. Another cause, which 
has contributed to change the face of the assembly, has been 
the local situation of the meeting-house. The young gentle¬ 
men, who have married wives in other parts of the town, have 
found it difficult to persuade them to become so ungenteel as 
to attend worship at the north end ; while the ladies of the 
society, as they have become wives, have affected to consid¬ 
er it a mark of taste to change their minister. But as one 
generation has passed away, another generation has come 
forward. Even the clergymen have abandoned that part of 
the town. There are six large congregations to the north¬ 
ward of the canal which divides the town, and only one of 
their ministers resides there. The Methodists are not reck¬ 
oned, as their preachers are frequently removed. 

“ Where ministers and people live happily together, some 
credit is due to both.” The Eliots, father and son, sat an 
example worthy of being followed. They lived in the midst 
of them; they associated with them, not only when duty 
called them, as in cases of marriages, sickness and death, but 
in a social manner as friends. Their parishioners returned 
their visits, especially on the evenings of Lord’s day, at 
which times their studies were filled with them, not for the 
sake of religious conversation only, but here the common 
topics of the day were talked over, much information given 
and received relative to the politics of the times, and the in¬ 
terest of the country. This constant intercourse made them 
acquainted with each other, and cemented a friendship which 
was pleasant and useful to both. Many gentlemen of the 
town, not belonging to the parish, were, in the habit of join¬ 
ing these social circles. 

In some respects these men were very much alike. Me¬ 
thodical in their arrangement of time, they were both able to 
devote much to the interest of the societies to which they 
belonged, without interfering with the duties of their station 
as ministers of the gospel; and while respectively members 
of the corporation of Harvard University, they each devot¬ 
ed themselves to its concerns. 

As a theologist, Dr. John Eliot took the Bible as his guide, 
in the light it was presented to his own mind. Good men he 
loved and associated with, although they differed from him 
in sentiment, and excluded none from his pulpit on that ac¬ 
count. For this he has received severe reprimands from 
some of his brethren in the clerical profession: Once in par¬ 
ticular, for inviting Mr. Hill, an amiable man, to preach for 


43 


him, who belonged to the church called the church of New 
Jerusalem. He also gave offence by walking as a pall holder 
at the funeral of Mr. Jane, a Methodist minister in his neigh¬ 
bourhood. His intimacy with Mr. John Murray, of the Uni¬ 
versal church, was frowned upon. He was indeed a liberal 
Christian in the true sense of the word; but certainly not 
such as have lately erected themselves into a sect under that 
name, and who do not seem to be destitute of bigotry and 
intolerance. He was a Trinitarian. The covenant of the 
New North church was a Trinitarian covenant,* drawn up by 
his father. An assent to this was strictly required of all who 
were admitted into his church, or were baptized there; and 
also of those who applied to have the ordinance of baptism 
administered to their children. It has been objected to this, 
that he supported the election of the present president and pro¬ 
fessor of divinity in Harvard University. To this it is answer¬ 
ed, that he was convinced that they were the best candidates 
for their respective offices that were or would be brought 
forward ; and as Mr. Hollis, who founded the professorship 
of divinity, and was both a Calvinist and a Baptist, did not 
require that the office should be confined to a belief of any 
particular dogma, he was certainly correct in his decision. 
As he lived, so he died, calm and composed to the last; 
only concerned lest his patience should not hold out under 
the extreme pain which he suffered. To the first suggestion 
made to him of his immediate danger, by Dr. Lathrop, “ My 
friend, are you prepared for the worst ?” he answered, “ I 
know where I have placed my hopes, and there I am con¬ 
tented to rest.” 


* Note R. 




APPENDIX. 






NOTE A. Page 6. 

The names of the first associates were, Solomon Townsend, Erasmus 
Stevens, Moses Pierce, Caleb Lyman, John Pecker, Alexander Sears, Ebene- 
zer Clough, John Goldthwait, Samuel Gardner, William Parkman, John Bar- 
tett, Isaac Pierce, Joshua Cheever, Matthew Butler, Elias Townsend, John 
Goff, James Barnard. Matthew Butler seemed to be the father of the asso¬ 
ciation. It happened by accident, that the pulpit of the present meeting¬ 
house stands over the exact spot on which his pew was situated. 

NOTE B. Page 6. 

The Hutchinson family have had the credit of giving the land on w hich 
the house was built. This is a mistake. The land was bought of Col. Thomas 
Hutchinson, father of the governour, for the sum of four hundred and fifty-five 
pounds and sixteen shillings, part of which was on credit, and a bond given 
for the payment. It stood on interest for a short time. 

- NOTE C. Page 6. 

The committee for building were, John Charnock, John Baker, Alexander 
Sears, Ebenezer Clough, Solomon Townsend, Thomas Lee, Erasmus Stevens, 
Samuel Gardner, Moses Pierce, William Parkman, Edward Pell, Josiah Lang* 
don, Joshua Cheever, James Tilestone, Matthew Butler, John Barrett, Na¬ 
thanael Kennry, Edward Richards, James Varney, and Caleb Lyman:— 
One may suppose a committee of the whole house. 

NOTE D. Page 8. 

The church covenant was in these words:—We, whose names are sub¬ 
scribed, apprehending ourselves called of God into the church state of the 
gospel, do, first of all, confess ourselves unworthy to be so highly favoured of 
the Lord, and admire that free and rich grace of his, which triumphs over so 
great unworthiness ; and then, with a humble reliance upon the aids of grace 
therein promised to them, that in a sense of their own inability to do any good 
thing, do humbly wait upon him for all, we do thankfully lay hold on his cov¬ 
enant, and would do the things that please him. 

We declare our serious belief of the Christian religion, contained in the 
Sacred Scriptures, hnd as exhibited in the confession of faith received in our 
churches ; heartily resolving to conform our lives to the rules of that holy re¬ 
ligion, so long as we live in this world. 

We give ourselves to the Lord Jehovah, who is the Father, Son and Holy 
Ghost; and avouch him to be our God, our Father, our Saviour and Leader, 
and receive him as our portion. 




45 


We give up ourselves unto the blessed Jesus, who is the Lord Jehovah, 
and adhere to him as the head of his people in the covenant of God, and rely 
on him as our Prophet, our Priest and our King, to bring us into eternal bless¬ 
edness. 

We acknowledge our everlasting and indispensable obligations to glorify 
God m all the duties of a godly, sober, righteous life ; and very particularly 
in the duties of a church state, and a body of people associated for an obedi¬ 
ence to him, and enjoyment of him, in all the ordinances of the gospel. And 
we therefore depend upon his gracious assistance for the faithful discharge of 
the duties thus incumbent upon us. 

We desire and intend, and with dependence upon promised and powerful 
grace, we engage to walk together as a church of our Lord Jesus Christ, in 
the faith and order of the gospel, so far as we shall have the same revealed un¬ 
to us, and will conscientiously attend the worship of God, the sacraments of 
the New Testament, and the discipline of his kingdom and all his holy instruc¬ 
tions, in communion with one another;—and that we will lovingly watch over 
one another, carefully avoid stumbling blocks and contentions, as becomes a 
people whom the Lord has bound up together in the bundle of life. 

At the same time, we also present our offspring with us unto the Lord, 
purposing with his help to do our part in the methods of a religious education, 
that they maybe the Lord’s. 

And all this we do, flying to the blood of the everlasting covenant for the 
pardon of our many errours, and praying that the glorious Lord, who is the great 
Shepherd, would prepare and strengthen us for every good work, to do his 
will, working in us that which is well pleasing in his sight, to whom be glory 
forever. Amen.—Signed by John Webb, pastor, Alexander Sears, Caleb 
Lyman, Ebenezer Clough, William Parlcman, Elias Townsend, Benjamin 
Gerrish, Samuel Gardner, Matthew Butler, Moses Pierce, John Barrett, 
Nathanael Kennry, Lately Gee, Solomon Townsend, Erasmus Stevens, 
Joshua Cheever. 

NOTE E. Page 8. 

When the meeting-house was taken down in 1802, this bell was sold 
to the town of Charlton, in the county of Worcester. 

NOTE F. Page 12. 

This committee consisted of Alexander Sears, Solomon Townsend and 
Owen Harris of the church, and Thomas Lee, Edward Pell and William 
Pell of the congregation. 

NOTE G. Page 12. 

However incredible, it is a fact, that some of the most unruly of this 
mob did sprinkle a liquor, which shall be nameless, from the galleries, upon 
the people below. The wife of Josiah Langdon used to tell with great asperi¬ 
ty of her being a sufferer by it. This good lady retained her resentment to 
old age. She was in the habit of relating the transactions of old times to her 
grandchildren. She would add to this anecdote, that the filthy creatures 
entirely spoiled a new velvet hood, which she had made for this occasion, and 
she could not wear it again. She was probably a particular object of ven¬ 
geance, as her husband was a zealous partizan for Mr. Thacher. 

NOTE H. Page 14. 

One of the persons who separated was Mr. Jonathan Mountfort, (father 
of a Dr. Mountfort, who for many years was a most eminent apothecary at 
the north end.) This good man thought to vent his spite in a peculiar manner. 
He said there should always be one pew empty; so he nailed his pew up, 
claiming a part of the house as his property. It remained in this situation 


A 


46 


■until 1727, when some persons went into the meeting-house in the night, and 
sawed out the pew through the floor, and placed the whole at his shop door, 
which stood conspicuously, his house forming the wedge between the passage 
to the Old North Square and Fish Street; exciting much mirth among the 
populace, who gathered round it, and equal rage in the old gentleman. 

NOTE I. Page 16. 

The copy of the charge to the elders, which the compiler had, is mislaid. 
The charge to the deacons was in the following words :—Whereas you, upon 
whom these hands are now laid, have been regularly chosen to the office of 
deacons in this church of Christ: We do now, in the name of the Lord Jesus 
Christ, and in behalf pf these people, solemnly set you apart to the office 
whereunto you have been called : And to this end, we do solemnly, in the 
presence of the great God, our Saviour, and in the sight of his holy angels, 
and before this assembly, give you the following charge, namely: Take heed 
to do the work of your office, with all integrity of heart. Be a faithful steward 
of the church’s stock, as it may be committed into your hands, disposing of 
it in sueh services, and only such, as are agreeable to the pious intention of it. 

And as the office of a deacon is of some note and trust in the church of 
Christ, your duty is, to be found blameless in it: And to this purpose, see 
that, as the scriptures direct, you be grave , not double-tongued , not given to 
much wine , not greedy of filthy lucre. Hold the mystery of faith in a pure 
conscience, and rule your house well. In so doing, you will use the office of 
a deacon well, and hereby purchase to yourself a good degree of respect and 
esteem, at least among your brethren, and great boldness in the faith which is 
in Jesus Christ. And now, that you may be enabled to keep this charge, we 
shall again commend you to the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

NOTE K. Page 17. 

The committee for enlarging the house, in 1730, were Samuel Barrett, 
Abiel Whalley, John Baker, Joshua Cheever, Peter Thomas, John Smith, 
Erasmus Stevens, Jeremiah Gardner, Caleb Lyman and Josiah Langdon, or 
as many as could attend to it. They were to have the whole direction of the 
affairs of the house. 

NOTE L. Page 17. 

Upon the night in which the Rev. Mr. Thacher died, there was a tremen¬ 
dous storm, with thunder and lightning, very unusual at that time of the year. 
In the midst of this he expired. On the next morning, a member of his sa- 
ciety, passing the street, saw at a window one of his acquaintance, and asked 
him if he knew that Parson Thacher was dead ? No, said the other ; when did 
he die ? In the midst of the storm, he was answered. Well, said his friend, 
he went off with as much noise as he came. 

NOTE M. Page 24. 

The following is an exact copy of the right hand of fellowship given by 
the Rev. Andrew Eliot to the Rev. Samuel Stillman, at his installation over 
the First Baptist church, taken from the original paper on which it was 
written, viz.— 

The different religions which have obtained in the world have usually been 
distinguished by some peculiar mark or character. Our blessed Lord and 
Master would have his followers known by their mutual love and charity. 
“ A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another ; as l have 
loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye 
are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.” Happy had it been, if 
Christians had never deviated from this excellent rule. How soon did the 


47 


church of Christ degenerate from that temper which the gospel ever recoin* 
lhends, and of which he sat so amiable an example ! 

You need not be told the alienations and censurings, the contentions and 
persecutions, which have prevailed among those who professed the same reli¬ 
gion, because they have not exactly agreed in the same doctrine or mode of 
administration. The source of all this mischief was not merely a difference of 
sentiment, but an impatience of contradiction, a loving to have the preemi¬ 
nence, a disposition to lord it over God’s heritage, and to invade his unalien¬ 
able prerogative over the consciences of men. 

Our first reformers, who had felt the rage of persecution themselves, were 
not free from an intolerant spirit. Their conduct towards those who differed in 
their religious opinions, will not bear the test, if duly examined. 

’Tis an honour to the present age, that the principles of liberty are better 
understood ; that there is not only a mutual forbearance, but a spirit of can¬ 
dour and love prevails among Christians of different denominations. How 
pleasant is it for brethren to dwell together in unity ! Let no man take our 
crown from us. 

The solemnities of this day shew that Christians of different sentiments can 
unite in offices of love. Yon, our beloved brethren, have invited the 
churches in the neighbourhood to join in one of the most sacred acts of re¬ 
ligion. We have attended to your call, and shewed our readiness to all acts 
of communion and Christian fellowship. And what is there to break our 
union, or to keep us at a distance? If our religious opinions be not just the 
same, we agree in owning Christ to be our Master and Lord, and in calling 
one another brethren in Christ. You have in your letters missive , acknowl¬ 
edged us to be the churches of Christ. We cheerfully return the honourable 
title. We own you to be a church of our Lord Jesus Christ. We look upon 
you as members of that body , of ivhich Christ is the head. We have a lender 
concern for your welfare—we mourn with you when you mourn—we rejoice 
when we see you rejoice. 

It is with sincere regret we have heard your worthy pastor resigning his 
charge. We wish him a blessing out of the house of the Lord. May God 
accept and reward his desires and endeavours to advance the Redeemer’s 
kingdom; and may you always esteem him highly in love for his works’ sake. 

We rejoice that you are not left as sheep without a shepherd ; that you 
are happily united in the settlement of another pastor, whom we have seen 
this day solemnly introduced into his sacred office, and who, we trust, will 
go on to build you up in faith, in holiness and in comfort. 

With the same affectionate regard, Reverend and dear Sir, We cheerfully 
receive } r ou as a brother in Christ, and as a minister of the New Testament. 

We promise you our help, support and encouragement. We wish you 
success in your ministerial work. We shall heartily rejoice in your gifts and 
usefulness ; and pray that you may approve yourself to God, and find ac¬ 
ceptance with his people. In testimony of the sincerity of these dispositions 
and regards, I do, in the name of the council now convened, and of the 
churches to which we belong, give you the right hand of fellowship. 

At the time I give you my hand , remember , Sir, I receive yours. The same 
friendship and brotherly kindness you have a right to expect from us, we on 
our part expect from you. I doubt not, my brother, but you have the like 
warm affection animating your breast, which I feel in my own, and that you 
will exhibit yourself, and inculcate on your hearers, a spirit of candour, of be¬ 
nevolence and universal charity. 

May God Almighty, who is witness of this solemn transaction, keep you 
and me, and every one concerned in it, from every thing which shall contradict 
our professions and engagements this day. And may we, who now embrace 
as brethren, increase in every Christian disposition, till we meet in the realms 
of light and peace above. Amen. 

The ceremonies of Mr. Stillman’s installation were performed in the Old 
North meeting-house. The Rev. Mr. Cooper made the first prayer ; Rev. 


48 


Mr. Pemberton gave the charge ; Rev. Mr. Eliot gave the right hand of fel¬ 
lowship ; Rev. Mr. Checkley made the concluding prayer. They were all 
Congregational ministers. Rev. Mr. Stillman preached the sermon. 

NOTE N. Page 24. 

This matter has been very erroneously stated by some of the members of 
the Baptist church. The compiler has been frequently told, not to say re¬ 
proached with the circumstance, that though his father affected to dislike and 
neglect Mr. Stillman, yet he could be contented with no other minister when 
near dying. Being present the whole time, he vouches for the truth and ac¬ 
curacy of the following statement: On the Friday afternoon which preceded 
the death of Dr. Eliot, he having been sick for twelve days, Mr. John Eliot in¬ 
formed his father, that Mr. Stillman had daily called several times at a shop 
which joined to the doctor’s house, and had made very affectionate inquiries 
respecting him. The doctor said, Tell the woman, if he calls again, to invite 
him to see me. Mr. John Eliot replied, Sir, he has been so assiduous and 
attentive, suppose that I call on him and thank him, and tell him you 
will be happy to see him. I think he will be pleased. Right, said the doc¬ 
tor. Mr. John Eliot went immediately. Soon after, Mr. Stillman came into 
the chamber. On coming to the bed side, he extended his hand to the doc¬ 
tor, and in a loud voice addressed him, My Christian friend, how do you? 
He was answered, Rejoicing in the light of God’s countenance. They shook 
hands cordially. Mr. Stillman then sat down, and after a short conversation, 
was asked to make a prayer, as had been done to all the clergyman who had 
visited there. He did it with much fervency, and soon after they took an 
affectionate leave of each other. They had no other interview. Dr. Eliot 
lived till the next Sabbath. 

NOTE O. Page 37. 

Donations towards rebuilding the New North Meeting-House. 


Ebenezer Parsons, cash $50, sundry materials, $86,25, . . . . $136,25 

William Callender, in turning pillars, urns, &c.110 00 

Sarah White, widow of Capt. John White, cash .... 50,’oO 

James Williams,.. .. 50 00 

John Fleet,. w/rtft 

Samuel Watts,.j .* j ! lo’oo 

John Richardson, ... . J0 00 

Thomas Parker,... 10 00 


$396,25 

NOTE P. Page 39. 

The inscription on a silver plate, which, together with some American 
coins, was deposited under the south-west corner stone of the foundation, 
was as follows : 

The New North Church was built, A. D. 1714: 

Enlarged and repaired, 1730: 

A new Tower and Steeple built, A. D. 1764: 

August, 1802, taken down by a vote of the Society, pro bono publico. 
In September following, the Corner Stone of the New Edifice was laid, 

(Laus Deo) 

By the Rev. John Eliot, Pastor of the Church. 














49 


NOTE Q. Page 41. 

t P a M bearers at the funeral of the Rev. John Eliot were, Rev. Dr. 

John Lathrop ; Rev. Dr. Kirkland, President of the University; Rev. Dr^ 
James Freeman, Rector of King’s Chapel; Rev. Dr. Eliphalet Porter of 
Roxbury ; Rev. Dr. Thaddeus M. Harris of Dorchester ; Rev. Dr. Joseph 
McKean, Professor of Oratory iii the University. 

NOTE R. Page 43. 

Copy of the Covenant , as delivered to such persons as were admitted to the 
Sacrament of the Lord's Supper , and to those who applied for Baptism 
for themselves or children. 

You do now, in the presence of the great God, his elect angels, and this 
Christian assembly, profess your belief in the Holy Scriptures ; that they were 
given by the inspiration of God, and are the only sufficient rule of faith and 
practice. 

You believe in Jesus Christ as the eternal Son of God, the only Mediator 
between God and man—the Lord and Head of his church. Sensible of your 
need of a Saviour, your own proneness to sin and inability to that which is 
good, you look up to him, and receive him in all those characters and offices 
with which he is vested for the benefit of the children of men. 

You believe the Holy Spirit to be the author of every good in the mind of 
man—the Leader, the Sanctifier and Comforter of his people. 

You give yourself up to God in an everlasting covenant, never to be for¬ 
gotten, to be for him and him only—to love, serve and obey him forever. 

You submit yourself to the discipline which Christ has established in his 
church, and as practised by the people of God in this place. 

[You promise often to think of your obligations to come up to the table of 
the Lord, and that you will seek to have such difficulties removed as now pre¬ 
vent your approach to that holy ordinance.]—Do you thus profess and promise ? 

It will be observed, that when the covenant was administered to those who 
were candidates for admission to the church, the paragraph enclosed in crotch¬ 
ets was omitted. 


Number of Persons admitted to full Communion , vis. 

From the gathering of the church, in 1714, to Mr. Thacher’s installation, 

in 1720,. * . < 117 

From Mr. Thacher’s installation to his death, 1738, ...... 383 

From Mr. Thacher’s death to the settlement of Mr. Andrew Eliot, 1742, 153 

From Mr. Eliot’s settlement to the death of Mr. VVebb, 1750, . . . 98 

From Mr. Webb’s death to that of Mr. A. Eliot, ....<.; 263 

From the death of Mr. A. Eliot to that of Mr. John Eliot, . < i 4 * 166 

1180 


Number of Persons to whom the Covenant has been given without admission 

to full Communion. 


To Mr. Thacher’s settlement, . . 43 

To his death,.92 

To A. Eliot’s settlement, .... 26 


To the death of Mr. Webb, . . 61 


To A. Eliot’s death,.325 

To J. Eliot’s death, 263 


810 


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50 


There is no record of marriages either by Mr. Webb or Mr. Thacher. 


The number of couples married by A. Eliot from 1742 to 1750, 
Mr. Webb probably married as many during that time. 

From Mr. Webb’s death to his own, Mr. Eliot married . . 
From Nov, 1779, to Feb, 1813, Mr. John Eliot married , . 


. 125 

. 633 

. 811 

1569 


Number of Baptisms, 


From Mr. Webb’s settlement to 
that of Mr. Thacher, .... 312 

To Mr. Thacher’s death, . . . 1423 
To A, Eliot’s settlement, . . . 542 


To Mr. Webb’s death, 
To A. Eliot’s death, . . 
To J. Eliot’s death, . . 


584 

2100 

1097 

6058 


It must have been observed, that both Mr. Andrew Eliot and his son are 
styled Doctor in the latter part of their lives. They both had degrees ot 
Doctor in Divinity, by purchase, at the University of Edinburgh. In the 
year 1767, Deacon John Barrett sent to that University and obtained a 
diploma for Mr. Andrew Eliot, the expenses of which were defrayed by the 
deacon. Mr. Eliot set no other value upon it, than as it was a mark of 
affection from a very dear friend. 

A few years after Mr. John Eliot’s settlement, diplomas were procured in 
the same manner for Rev. Simeon Howard and Rev. John Lathrop. Soon 
after, the late Sir John Temple, a friend to Mr. Eliot, proposed to his kins¬ 
man, the late Samuel Eliot, Esq. to procure the same for him, the expenses 
of which Mr. S. E. offered to pay. Upon consultation with Mr. J. E. he 
put a stop to it. He then agreed with his friend, Rev. John Clarke, that they 
would not accept of a diploma procured by purchase. The University of 
Cambridge were not then in the general practice of granting those degrees, 
as they have since been. 

Soon after Rev. Mr. Thacher removed from Malden to Boston, he was 
complimented with a diploma by the late Thomas Russel, Esq. By the per¬ 
suasion of Mr. Thacher, Mr. Clarke consented to receive the same compli¬ 
ment from the same gentleman. Some persons friendly to Mr. J. Eliot wish¬ 
ed to favour him in that way, but he always declined it, observing that he 
had rather th£ question should be Why is not Mr. Eliot a Doctor,” than 
44 wliy is he ?” At one time, the writer found that a plan was projecting to pro¬ 
cure his brother the title privately, through the agency of Dr. Thacher, and 
checked it. At length, the late Deacon Samuel Barrett, sen. wishing to do 
as much for his minister as his uncle John Barrett had done for his father, 
contrived with Dr. Lathrop to procure a degree for him. The diploma 
arrived, and Mr. Eliot’s first notice of it was, by being hailed Doctor at a 
meeting of the Historical Society. When the matter was explained, he was 
much disgusted, and his first determination was, to return the diploma ; but 
he considered afterwards that by so doing he should offend the deacon, who 
was one of his best friends, and grieve Dr. Lathrop. They really thought 
they were doing him a favour. Thus the title was imposed upon him so 
contrary to his inclination, that he probably never looked over the diploma. 
He deposited it in the hands of a friend, who handed it to his family after his 
decease. 

Mr. Eliot’s reason for declining the offers which were made to him for this 
purpose was, that a title which might, by a little address, be procured for 
any ope, conferred no honour, and was not worth an acceptance. 






51 


Dr. Andrew Eliot published twelve single sermons, in the course of his 
ministry, upon various occasions ; and, a few years before his death, a volume 
of twenty sermons, most of which his hearers had urged him to have printed, 
when first delivered. 

Dr. John Eliot published a sermon and charge to Free Masons, and five 
sermons on different occasions, with many communications in the Collections 
of the Historical Society and other periodical works; also, The New England 
Biographical Dictionary. This had engaged his earnest attention from early 
life, but was destined to be a source of great mortification to him. It is al¬ 
lowed to be a valuable work. When he came to a determination to have it 
printed, lie endeavoured to make it serviceable to a young printer of his so- 
eiety, and employed him to execute the work. This young man employed 
other persons to do it, unknown to him. The proofs were regularly handed 
for corrections, which he attended to, and he was assured they were made. 
Not imagining that deception was practising upon him, to his astonishment, 
when the work was finished, it was replete with errours of the most glaring 
kind, especially in regard to the important circumstance of dates. His pecu¬ 
niary circumstances would not admit of his suppressing the edition, and he 
was obliged to let it come out “ with all its imperfections on its head.” He 
could never hear the work spoken of without the greatest disgust. 


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